The incidence of genitourinary infections in a cohort of healthy women.
OBJECTIVE
Few data are available on the incidence and frequency of occurrence of vaginitis and urinary tract infections in population-based groups.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence and frequency of occurrence of vaginitis and urinary tract infections among a population of healthy adult women.


METHODS
A questionnaire regarding genitourinary infections was sent to 500 women, 315 (63%) of whom responded.


RESULTS
A history of one or more urinary tract infections was reported by 199 (63.2%) of the women. Trichomoniasis was reported by 82 (26%) and bacterial vaginosis by 91 (29%) of the participants. A history of physician-diagnosed vulvovaginal candidiasis was noted by 210 (67%) of the respondents, 70 (22%) of whom had been treated for vulvovaginal candidiasis during the preceding year. Classical sexually transmitted conditions such as gonorrhea (4.8%), genital herpes (6.7%), and genital warts (7.6%) were reported less often than vaginal and urinary tract infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary tract infections and vaginal infections, especially vulvovaginal candidiasis, are common events among healthy adult women.
McCormack
W M
WM
Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203, USA.
Zinner
S H
SH
McCormack
W M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013333:Student Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy