Comparison of Single Dose Sertaconazole versus Three Dose Clotrimazole Regime in Treatment of Uncomplicated Vulvovaginal Candidiasis- A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second most common vaginitis following bacterial vaginitis amongst the reproductive age group with variable compliance to the treatment. Aim: To compare the efficacy of single dose sertaconazole versus multidose clotrimazole pessaries in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis in reproductive age group. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital between October 2014 and September 2016 on 100 patients of reproductive age group with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Group A (n=50) were treated with single dose sertaconazole and group B (n=50) were treated with 3-dose regime clotrimazole. Pregnant females with history of antifungal treatment within past four weeks, past history of hypersensitivity to imidazole agents were excluded from the study. Results: The mean age of patients was 28.7±5.3 years. The average duration between the appearance of symptoms and consultation was 14.8±7.6 days. The prevalence of candidiasis was most amongst the housewife’s accounting for 64.3%. There was no statistically significant difference between both the groups in terms of socio-economic status and literacy rate. There was no statistically significant difference in the response to treatment between both the drugs. At the end of six weeks, 14% of the patients in group A and 18% of patients in group B had recurrence. Conclusion: It can be a wise option to prefer sertaconazole with respect to its single dosage regime, convenience and better acceptability in uncomplicated cases of vulvovaginal candidiasis. However, no statistical significance has been observed between both the regimes.

Keywords

• antifungal agents
• candida albicans
• pessaries
• vaginitis