Abstract

Author(s): Santamaría Orleans, Alicia1; De la Iglesia Arnaez, Raquel1; Blanco-Soler Palacios-Pelletier, Carlos2; Tena González, Juan Antonio3

Introduction: vulvovaginal infections affect 75 % of women throughout their life, being a recurrent issue in the gynecological practices and generally observing an imbalance of the normal microbiota. Thus, the administration of oral probiotics and prebiotics that contribute to regenerate the microbiota, seems to increase the effectiveness of the pharmacological treatment and decrease the recurrence rate.

Objectives: knowing the current clinic situation of vaginal infections and the use of a food supplement based on lactobacilli (Lactobacillus crispatus LBV88, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96, Lactobacillus jensenii LBV116 y Lactobacillus gasseri LBV150) and Fructooligosaccharides, for the adjuvant treatment of these infections.

Methods: this is a retrospective observational study, developed in a two years period in which 186 gynecologists participated, obtaining a sample size of n=649 clinical cases (women). Data were collected by questionnaires validated by professionals and results were analysed by the IBM SPSS Statistic 22.0 software.

Results: most gynecologists (57,4 %) received more than 20 consultations per month due to vaginal infections, with a high recurrence rate (25-50 % of the cases according to 59,1 % of specialists). The route of choice for the administration of probiotics and prebiotics is oral, with a mean (SD) of 6,4 (2,5) women out of every 10. In the cases in which oral administration was indicated for the food supplement, 41 % was as adjuvant in the treatment of candidiasis, 19,6 % as adjuvant for vaginosis treatment, 33,3 % of cases for the prevention of recurrent vaginal infections and 38,4 % for the recovery and maintenance of the microbiota balance after infectious processes, combining the dosage indicated by the manufacturer and personalized recommendations based on the experience of gynecologists. As for patient’s satisfaction, > 90 % of women confirm that the improvement when using the food complement is high. Among the characteristics mostvalued by gynecologists, it is highlighted efficiency with a mean of 9,2 points, tolerability (8,8 points), previous experience (8,5 points), and the probiotic profile used (8,1).

Discussion: The results of the study coincide with scientific societies data regarding vaginal infections incidence, patient profile and recurrences. Besides, evidence of the efficacy of food supplements with probiotics and prebiotics as adjuvants for the treatment of these infections, is reinforced. Oral route of administration appears as a referent for the administration of probiotics and prebiotics and the dosage indicated by the manufacturer is respected in most of the cases, taking into account personal and professional preference of each gynecologist in those cases in which a different dosage is indicated.

Conclusions: oral route of administration for food supplements based on probiotics and prebiotics as adjuvants for the treatment of vaginal infections, is shown as an effective strategy to improve the infectious process resolution and to prevent recurrences by recovering the balance of normal vagina