Comparative efficacy of two regimens in syndromic management of lower genital infections

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two combination regimens in the syndromic management of lower genital infection. Seventy-two non-pregnant women presenting with symptoms of lower genital infection diagnosed as vaginitis on clinical examination and lacking obvious upper genital infection were enrolled to one of the two treatment regimens as a syndromic treatment. No investigations were performed to cut the cost and to avoid the loss of patients on follow-up. Thirty-seven women (group I) were prescribed a course of clotrimazole (Imidil, Lyka) 100 mg vaginal pessaries for 6 days. Along with their partners they were prescribed 2 gm secnidazole (Secnil forte) and 150 mg fluconazole (Syscan) as a single therapy. Thirty-five women (group II) were prescribed vaginal clotrimazole as mentioned above. A combination kit containing 150 mg fluconazole, 2 gm secnidazole and 1 gm azithromycin (FAS-3 kit, Lyka) was also prescribed to both partners with the advice to take azithromycin on empty stomach, and the other three tablets after food. Results: All women in both groups were seen after 1 week for relief of symptoms and after 1 month for any recurrence. Mean parity was 2.7 and 3.0, respectively. The total symptomatic relief was observed in 67.6 and 94.3% cases, partial relief in 27 and 5.7% cases and no relief was observed in 5.4% and nil cases, respectively, in the two groups. Recurrence was seen in two and nil cases, respectively, in the two groups. Most women tolerated both the treatments well with no major side effect in any case. Treatment cost was higher in group II (Rupees 120) than in group I (Rupees 65). Conclusions: Both combination kits with local clotrimazole were reasonably effective and safe in the syndromic approach for lower genital infections. The combination kit with azithromycin, secnidazole and fluconazole was more effective with better symptomatic relief and less recurrence rate and may be routinely recommended in all cases of lower genital infection as a cost effective, safe and effective strategy.