Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Current Management

• Published in: Australian family physician Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 149 - 151
• Main Authors: Watson, Cathy, Pirotta, Marie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Copyright Agency Limited (Distributor) 01-03-2011
• Subjects: Antifungal Agents - administration & dosage; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Australasia; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - diagnosis; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - drug therapy; Diseases; Female; Guideline Adherence; Health and hygiene; Health surveys; Humans; Medical personnel; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians; Recurrence; Response rates; Seminars; Vagina; Vulva; Women; Australia; Australasia
• ISSN: 0300-8495; 2208-7958

Background: Management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis can be problematic, and current guidelines are limited by scant evidence. Method: The authors found no research on how clinicians manage this condition and whether existing guidelines were followed. To ascertain how recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is managed in current clinical practice, a survey was conducted of delegates at a seminar for health professionals with a special interest in vulval conditions. Results: Of the 160 delegates 66 completed the survey, providing a response rate of 41%. The authors found little adherence to current guidelines - only 50% reported using the recommended suppression and maintenance therapy, and only 57% reported using confirmatory diagnostic testing. Discussion: The wide variation in health professionals' management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis reflects the difficulty in treating and managing this condition. The results suggest that clinicians are 'tailoring' treatment to their patients due to a lack of good evidence of effective treatments to guide them.