Epidemiologic Features of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Reproductive-Age Women in India

Authors

Sujit D. Rathod, Centre for Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1 7HT, UK; University of California, Berkeley, Division of EpidemiologyFollow
Jeffrey D. Klausner, University of California, Los Angeles, Division of Infectious Diseases and Program in Global HealthFollow
Karl Krupp, Florida International University, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore 570020, Karnataka, IndiaFollow
Arthur R. Rhinegold, University of California, Berkeley, Division of Epidemiology
Purnima Madhivanan, Florida International University, Department of Epidemiology; Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore 570020, Karnataka, IndiaFollow

Date of this Version

9-14-2012

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Background. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is characterized by curd-like vaginal discharge and itching, and is associated with considerable health and economic costs. Materials and Methods. We examined the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis among a cohort of 898 women in south India. Participants completed three study visits over six months, comprised of a structured interview and a pelvic examination. Results. The positive predictive values for diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis using individual signs or symptoms were low (<19%). We did not find strong evidence for associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Women clinically diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis had a higher prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (Prevalence 12%, 95% CI 8.2, 15.8) compared to women assessed to be negative for bacterial vaginosis (Prevalence 6.5%, 95% 5.3, 7.6); however, differences in the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis were not observed by the presence or absence of laboratory-confirmed bacterial vaginosis. Conclusions. For correct diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis, laboratory confirmation of infection with Candida is necessary as well as assessment of whether the discharge has been caused by bacterial vaginosis. Studies are needed of women infected with Candida yeast species to determine the risk factors for yeast’s overgrowth.

Comments

This article was originally published in Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Identifier

FIDC001520

Recommended Citation

Sujit D. Rathod, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Karl Krupp, Arthur L. Reingold, and Purnima Madhivanan, “Epidemiologic Features of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Reproductive-Age Women in India,” Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 2012, Article ID 859071, 8 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/859071

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.