Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis in females in the reproductive age group

Abstract

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection among reproductive age group females. The objective of present study is to determine the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis, its distribution and association of risk factors among reproductive age group females, attending the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology of our Prime Medical Centre, Sharjah attached with Prime Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: It was cross-sectional descriptive study over a period of six months. Patients who came to our outpatient department with complains of vaginal discharge and itching in reproductive age group were included in this study. Patients characteristics i.e. age, parity, risk factors like diabetes, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPills) and intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) were noted. High vaginal swabs (HVS) were collected and sent for culture. Candida positive cases were noted, and results were analyzed.Results: A total of 224 high vaginal swabs were collected. Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was found to be 31.6%. It was found more in 26-30 years age group and multiparous women. Previous history of candidiasis and diabetes were the commonest risk factors. Frequency of C. albicans was more (76.05%) than non-albicans candida (23.94%).Conclusions: Present study concluded that vulvovaginal candidiasis is more prevalent in reproductive age group females, therefore a routine high vaginal swab culture must be performed in every woman presenting with vaginal discharge and itching for correct diagnosis. Women should be educated on clinical symptoms.

Relationship between Vulvovaginitis in Women with the Candida Species

“…In our study revealed that from 61 patients with diabetes, the incidence of candida spp was 49(80.3%), and this is higher than a study done by (11) and (25) which was (56.5%) and (53.06%) respectively. It has been observed that elevated glucose levels in genital tissues boost yeast adhesion and growth and that vaginal epithelial cells attach to Candida spp.…”

“…Vulvovaginitis is a general problem attacking large numbers of females around the globe, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) can becharacterized as signs and symptoms of inflammation of the vulva and vagina with the existence of Candida spp (10) . Incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis is hard to decide because the clinical diagnosis is usually dependingon symptoms and was not determined by microscopic examination or culture (11) . In the present study, out of 300 symptomatic patients, candidiasis was detected in (57%) (171/300) cases on the culture of the high vaginal swab, and this data is similar to reports by (Rad, etal) (12) which were (66%) and (Kalia, etal) (13) (47%), and lower than that reported by (Ugwa) (14) who reported (84.5%) in North-West Nigeria.…”

“…The prevalence of VVC increases with age up to menopause, and the disorder is not usual in postmenopausal women unless they are consuming estrogen therapy, and it is also not common in prepubertal young ladies (11) . The incidence of candida sppamong pregnant and non -pregnant was 73(61.3%), 98(54.1%) respectively.…”

Prevalence of trichomonas vaginalis and candida species among women of reproductive age group

“…Around 54% of total candidiasis were Diabetic which is highly significant in my study. Study conducted by Puranjoy Saha et al 11 was found that only 15.79% of total candidiasis cases were diabetic.Meena Salvi 12 was found that diabetes mellitus was a risk factor for Candida species in 56% of cases.…”

“…It was found maximum number Candida species positive cases were multiparous women i.e 18 cases (46%) and then primiparous i.e 12 cases (31%). A study conducted by Meena Salvi 12 showed that prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was found to be high in women who had a parity of more than 2 (40%) and lower in nulliparous (25.4%). And in case of Trichomonas vaginalis positive cases maximum number were multiparous women 3 cases (50%).…”