VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS AND ITS INFLUENCING FACTORS IN DIABETES CLINIC OF DR. SHARIATI HOSPITAL (2002-2005)

Diabetes mellitus is an insidious disease which can affect different organs. One of the problems is resistant vaginitis, which is related to factors such as high blood glucose levels, allergy and atopia. One of the most common pathogens associated with this condition is Candida Albicans. Thus; most physicians begin anti-fungal therapy in first visit even without documented evidence of fungal origin.

This descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 160 non-pregnant diabetic women in diabetes clinic of Shariati Hospital during a period of three years (2002-2005). Fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose levels and HbA1C were measured and culture of vaginal discharge was performed. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis.

71% of women had clinical vaginitis (fungal or bacterial) and 12.5% were diagnosed with Candida vaginitis. Microscopic findings were positive in 1.3 % of patients who had Candida vaginitis (16.7% of all patients). Culture of vaginal discharge revealed that the Candida was responsible of 4.4% of Candida vaginitis. Overlay, the prevalence of Candida vaginitis based on positive culture was 8.8 % in this study. There was significant statistical relationship between mean FBS and infectious vaginal culture. However, the difference was not significant between positive culture of Candida and age, controlled blood glucose, history of allergy, genital hygiene, occupation, level of education, kind of treatment, and type or duration of diabetes.

We suggest in the patients with positive signs of vaginitis, especially Candida vaginitis (even with positive smear); culture of vaginal discharge be carried out.