Dolore vulvo-vaginale, candidosi recidivante e rischio familiare per il diabete

Dolore vulvo-vaginale, candidosi recidivante e rischio familiare per il diabete
I fattori critici emersi dallo studio VuNet su 1183 casi – Parte II

Alessandra Graziottin1,2 – Orcid, Dania Gambini2, Elena Boero2– Orcid, Filippo Murina3,4 – Orcid, ricercatori del gruppo Vu-net 

1 – Centro di Ginecologia e Sessuologia medica, H. San Raffaele Resnati Milano

2 – Fondazione Alessandra Graziottin per la cura del dolore nella donna Onlus

3 – Servizio di Patologia del Tratto Genitale Inferiore, Ospedale V. Buzzi – Università degli Studi di Milano

4 – Associazione Italiana Vulvodinia Onlus

Autore di riferimento: Alessandra Graziottin

direzione@studiograziottin.it


DOI: 10.53146/lriog1202127

Abstract

The VuNet (Vulvodynia Network) Project is an observational study set out to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and comorbidities of chronic vulvar pain. It involved 1183 women, enrolled between December 2016 and November 2018 in 21 Italian medical centers. Supported by the collected evidence that 32% patients with vulvar pain were affected by recurrent vulvo- vaginal candidiasis (RVVC), this article aims at analyzing the role of Candida infections in the genesis of vulvar pain and dyspareunia, and diabetes, or familiarity for diabetes, as a key predisposing factor. The recurrent/persistent inflammation associated with an aberrant immune-allergic reaction to Candida antigens may be a strong co-factor for developing vestibulodynia in this cluster of patients. The co-prevalence of 17.5% patients reporting food or respiratory allergies suggests a parallel predisposition to the development of allergic reactions. The anamnesis revealed a higher rate of diabetes in first- and second-degree relatives of the patients, both from the mother’s (8.4%) and father’s side (8.6%), versus the Italian national prevalence of 5.3% for the population un- der 65. Genetic predisposition for diabetes alters the carbohydrate metabolism predisposing to vulvovaginal candidiasis. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of investigating metabolic vulnerabilities to diabetes, both in the patient and her family, and encourage appropriate lifestyles, including: a net reduction in the consumptions of glucose or saccharose, body weight control, and daily aerobic exercise to reduce peripheral insulin resistance. The ultimate goals are reducing predisposing factors for candidiasis, vestibulodynia and coital pain in this cluster of patients, and tailoring treatment accordingly.

Keywords: vulvovaginal candidiasis; vulvar pain; vestibolodynia; dyspareunia; diabetes.


Presente in LRIOG Nr.2 – 2021

e-ISSN: 1824-0283


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Dolore vulvare e diagnosi di comorbilità. I fattori critici, emersi dallo studio Vu-Net su 1183 casi – parte 1

Dolore vulvare e diagnosi di comorbilità.
I fattori critici, emersi dallo studio Vu-Net su 1183 casi – parte 1

Alessandra Grazziottin1 – Orcid, Dania Gambini 2 – Orcid, Filippo Murina3,4 – Orcid e i ricercatori del gruppo Vu-Net

1 – Direttrice del Centro di Ginecologia e Sessuologia Medica, H. San Raffaele Resnati, Milano

2 – Fondazione Alessandra Graziottin per la cura del dolore nella donna – Onlus

3 – Servizio di Patologia del Tratto Genitale Inferiore, Ospedale V. Buzzi – Università degli Studi di Milano
4 – Associazione Italiana Vulvodinia Onlus

Autore di riferimento: Alessandra Graziottin

direzione@studiograziottin.it


DOI: 10.53146/lriog120215

Abstract

The Vu-Net (Vulvodynia Network) project is aimed at investigating chronic vul- var pain and its medical and sexual comorbidities, given its remarkable impact on the quality of life of both women and couples. The reported incidence of chronic vulvar pain (lasting 3-6 months) in women is 16%. This cross-sectional study involved 1183 patients with chronic vulvar pain attending 21 Italian medical centers from December 2016 to November 2018. 70.7% of enrolled women were between 20 and 49 years of age. Main diagnoses were spontaneous or provoked vestibulodynia (70.8%) and generalized vulvodynia (27.3%). The main reason for consultation was introital pain on penetration (64.2%), together with associated sexual dysfunctions, such as vaginal dryness (29.8%), hypoactive sexual desire disorder (22.1%) and sexual arousal disorder (21.3%). 48.3% had prolonged pain, lasting 1 to 5 years, with a mean diagnostic delay of 4 years and 7 months. The main comorbidities that emerged from the study include high association with intestinal disorders (94.7%), in particular IBS (27.3%), constipation (23.5%), and food allergies (10.1%); bladder infections (37.4%) including recurrent cystitis (19.5%) and post-coital cystitis (17.9%); recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (32%); headache (25.7%); mental disorders (22.6%); allergies (17.5%); endometriosis (11.7%). 77.4% of the Vu-Net patients had previously been treated without improving their condition. The analysis of the comorbidities allows the gynecologist to recognize the clusters of patients that will obtain the best results when treated with a multimodal intervention.

Keywords: chronic vulvar pain; dyspareunia; vulvovaginal candidiasis; comorbidities.


Presente in LRIOG Nr.1 – 2021

e-ISSN: 1824-0283


Scarica il pdf    download_pdf