Maintenance Therapy Improves Quality of Life in Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidosis

Women with chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) have a high quality of life and sexual impairment, but these may be further improved with 6-month maintenance treatment, according to study results published in Mycoses.

Researchers conducted a sub-analysis of a randomized, controlled, double-blind Phase IIb/III study to assess health-related quality of life in women with RVVC using validated questionnaires before and after treatment. The secondary objective was to analyze the effect of RVVC on women’s sexual health.

Women (N=432) who had completed the 6-month maintenance period of treatment at the study centers were included in the final analysis. The questionnaires were assessed at the time of the study enrollment (visit 1) and after 6 months (visit 4). Quality of life was assessed using the European Quality of Life (EQ) 5-dimension 5-level scale (EQ-5D-5L) and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) questionnaires.

After 6 months of maintenance treatment, the EQ-5D-5L scores showed improved quality of life in 65.2% of participants. At visit 1, the mean EQ-5D-5L score was 1.55±0.60 and at visit 4 was 1.11±0.64 (P <.001). The EQ-VAS scores showed improved quality of life in 75.4% of participants. Overall EQ-VAS scores at visit 1 were 75.14±19.62 and 89.74±12.60 at visit 4 (P <.001).

Pain frequency during or after sexual intercourse in the 6-month period was reduced in 66.3% of participants. After any treatment, the fear of pain during intercourse decreased. At visit 1, the mean score of women who experienced pain during or following intercourse was 1.89±1.12. At visit 4, the score was 0.71±0.92 (P <.001).

Limitations of the study include selection and reporting bias. The study treatment regimen was also not unblinded.

The study authors conclude, “[R]ecurrent vulvovaginal candidosis affects numerous women worldwide and can lead to significant impairment of [quality of life] and impaired sexual health. Relapses may occur in some cases under maintenance therapy, but different treatments offer improvement.”

Disclosure: This research was supported by Profem GmbH. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.

This article originally appeared on Dermatology Advisor