Abstract

Purpose: In the past, patients needed a healthcare provider (HCP) to treat vulvovaginal candida infections (VVC). With the advert of OTC azole treatments, most patients self-treated prior to contacting their HCP. Therefore, most HCP's receive little feedback on the efficacy and satisfaction with OTC products, except with treatment failures. This project sought to give feedback to HCP's regarding the efficacy and satisfaction for OTC agents.

Methodology: From June to October 2015, 2,961 NP/CNM/PA's were enrolled in a topical OTC VVC treatment program. They were given 4 azole topical antifungals to dispense, from 1 to 7 days and surveys regarding their selection of various agents, and patients received an anonymous survey card asking about their satisfaction and treatment success.

Results: As most women treat themselves, it's assumed that many patients seek office treatment only after failure. However, it appears that most women (95%) are treated successfully and are satisfied with OTC therapies. As 80% of patients did not give feedback to HCP's, there may be a bias to HCP's only from patients who failed therapy. As new safety concerns are arising with oral, prescription antifungals, it is helpful for HCP's to regain an understanding of patient responses to OTC treatment. HCP's were most comfortable dispensing the traditional 7 day regimen and highly active one dose tioconazole ointment for reasons of fluconazole safety or failures. Therefore, current OTC topical azole treatment for VVA appears to be highly effective with excellent patient satisfaction. All forms (ointment, cream, and suppository) and dosing regimens were equally acceptable to patients regardless of HCP preferences.

Mark Martens

Author Details

Mark G. Martens, MD, FACOG

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Poster

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

candidiasis, yeast, Monistat

Conference Name

19th Annual NPWH Premier Women's Healthcare Conference

Conference Year

2016

Conference Location

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Conference Host

Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

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Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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