title: Dermasilk® briefs in recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis. An alternative option in long-lasting disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) can be a long-lasting disease; some patients refuse one of the most used treatment based on the assumption of oral fluconazole and resort to self-medication, risking poor control of symptoms and the development of local side effects. The aim of the study is to compare underwear made of Dermasilk®, a pure fibroin fabric bonded with a permanent antimicrobial protection, with cotton placebo briefs to see whether it would be a useful tool in the management of RVVC in patients not receiving oral or topical antimycotic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, randomized study was carried out on 30 women who had a long-term history of RVVC with mild to moderate symptoms. The patients were randomly divided into two groups and instructed to use either white cotton placebo briefs (CT group) or Dermasilk® briefs (DS group) for 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All vulvovaginal symptoms and signs showed a statistically significant improvement in the DS group compared with the CT group (P<0.001) at the follow-up visits after 3 and 6 months. The number of flares of vulvovaginal symptoms was significantly lower in the DS group compared to the CT group (24 episodes versus 68 episodes during the 6-month study, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the absence of both topical and oral antimycotics, Dermasilk® briefs appear to be a useful tool, in reducing the signs and symptoms and the episodes of vulvovaginal discomfort in patients suffering from RVVC.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology Department of Internal Medicine Aging and Nephrological Diseases University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy - sara.bellavista4@unibo.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Antuono
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellavista
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gaspari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filippini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patrizi
mesh_terms: D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D015725:Fluconazole