Efficacy of maintenance therapy with topical boric acid in comparison withoral itraconazole in the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the efficacy of a topical long-term t reatment with boric acid versus an oral long-term treatment (itraconazole) in the cure and prevention of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, nonrandomized study of patients affected by re current vulvovaginal candidiasis was undertaken. In 3 years we recruited 22 consecutive patients who underwent therapy with itraconazole (group 1) or boric acid (group 2). Women were followed up for 1 year, with clinic and mi crobiologic controls after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the first visit. RESULTS: During the treatment, the positive culture results (15.1% vs 12.1% ) and the signs and symptoms (33.3% vs 24.2%) were similar within the 2 gro ups, with no significant statistical difference. With the withdrawal, after 6 months relapses were common in the 2 groups (54.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Boric acid seems to be a valid and promising therapy both in t he cure of the vaginal infection and in the prevention of relapses of recur rent vulvovaginal candidiasis, but its efficacy ends with the suspension of the therapy.