Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care · 1998 · 11 citations · 13 references
MedicineInfectious DiseasesMicrobiologyDiagnostic MicrobiologyMedical MicrobiologyWomen's HealthFungal DiagnosticsGynecologic InfectionsHiv DiagnosisHiv EpidemiologySexually Transmitted InfectionsVulvovaginal DisordersClinical Mycological DiagnosisFungal Infection PreventionHiv Prevention In WomenLogistic RegressionOdds Ratio ModelingPatient Self-assessmentVaginal CandidiasisVaginal Swab Testing
To better understand factors associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis, including the role of immune compromise and patient self-report, a cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with the isolation of yeast from vaginal swabs and clinical diagnosis of Candida vaginitis (CV) among 184 HIV-infected women was conducted. Sixty-four (35%) of the women had vaginal swabs positive for yeast. Nineteen (10%) women met the case definition for CV. In a logistic regression model, only CD4 < or = 100 cells/mm3 was predictive of CV (adds ratio = 4.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.0, 20; p = .05). The predictive value of patient self-report of CV was only 12%. This study demonstrates that all HIV-infected women should receive a regular and thorough gynecologic evaluation, regardless of self-reported symptoms. HIV-infected women will benefit from education about prevention and treatment of CV, and women whose CD4 counts are low may wish to consider prophylaxis for CV.
13