Efficacy of maintenance therapy with topical boric acid in comparison with oral itraconazole in the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to examine the efficacy of a topical long-term treatment with boric acid versus an oral long-term treatment (itraconazole) in the cure and prevention of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized study of patients affected by recurrent 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 microbiologic 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 groups, 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 the cure of the vaginal infection and in the prevention of relapses of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, but its efficacy ends with the suspension of the therapy.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Trieste, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
S
S
Guaschino
F
F
De Seta
A
A
Sartore
G
G
Ricci
D
D
De Santo
M
M
Piccoli
S
S
Alberico
D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001888:Boric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001888:Boric Acids; D017964:Itraconazole; C032688:boric acid