EPIDEMIOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN WITH IDIOPATHIC RECURRENT VULVO-VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS

Objective: To evaluate risk factors related to anamnestic variables, s exual behavior, feminine hygiene habits, and microbiologic findings in women with idiopathic recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Methods: We conducted a multivariate observational study comparing sociodemograph ic, anamnestic, clinical, and microbiologic variables between 86 patie nts with recurrent vaginal candidiasis and 180 controls with nonrecurr ent infection. Results: In logistic regression analysis, women with re current candidal vaginitis were more likely than controls to use contr aceptive pills (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-3.91; P = .04) and commercially available solutions for either vu lvoperineal cleansing (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, 95% CI 1.25-3.88; P = .007) or vaginal douching (adjusted odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.26; P = .05). The rate of isolation of non-albicans candida species was sig nificantly higher among cases than controls (adjusted odds ratio 3.0, 95% CI 1.50-6.04; P = .005). Finally, increasing frequency of monthly sexual intercourse was significantly correlated (chi2 for trend = 4.87 ; P = .027) with recurrent infection. Conclusion: Several behavioral f actors seem to influence the occurrence of relapses in recurrent vulvo vaginal candidiasis. Appropriate counseling about contraception, sexua l activity, and personal hygiene habits could be an important preventi ve measure in these cases.