[Therapy of bacterial vaginosis. Prospective clinical study ot the efficacy and tolerability of quaternary ammonium salts vs. clindamycin].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravaginal quaternary ammonium antimicrobial compounds (SQA) versus clindamycin 2% intravaginal cream (CL) in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (VB).


METHODS
One hundred-thirty-three patients affected by VB were enrolled in the study from January 1995 to October 1997. Patients were classified according to Amsel's criteria and/or to the indications of the Scandinavian Society of Bacterial Vaginosis. Twenty-three patients were initially excluded from the study, and 110 patients were randomized in two groups, SQA versus CL. Patients were reevaluated after 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months from the end of therapy. The safety of treatment was also investigated.


RESULTS
Of 110 patients, 59 were treated with SQA and 51 with CL. One hundred (90.9%) patients completed the therapy and were subjected to the first control after 3 weeks from the end of therapy. A significant reduction of most of the symptoms and all signs of VB was observed in the group treated with SQA. Similarly, a significant reduction of most of the symptoms (vaginal and urinary in particular) and all signs of VB was observed in the group treated with CL. The percentage of response was 86.7% for SQA group and 87.2% for CL group. Moreover, after 3 months from the end of therapy, 47.2% and 50% of the patients treated with SQA and CL, respectively, recurred, and after 6 months 78.5% and 75% of the patients recurred, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
SQA treatment conferred 86.7% of response after 3 weeks from the end of therapy, with poor side effects and a good compliance in good keeping with the results obtained with CL treatment.
Battaglia
F
F
Istituto di Clinica Ginecologica ed Ostetricia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Scambia
G
G
De Vincenzo
R
R
Distefano
M
M
Lopez
R
R
Masciullo
V
V
Foti
E
E
Scirpa
P
P
Margariti
P A
PA
Panici
P B
PB
Mancuso
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D002981:Clindamycin
La terapia delle vaginosi batteriche. Studio clinico prospettico sull'efficacia e tollerabilità dei sali quaternari d'ammonio versus clindamicina.