Prevalence of Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Pregnant Females

Aim: To determine the prevalence of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC) in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant females. Design: Cross-sectional Survey Place & duration of study: Outpatient department, Akhter Saeed Trust Hospital, EME Sector, Lahore from July 2016 to June 2017. Methods: A total of 300 patients were selected from outpatient obstetrics clinic and divided into two groups: Group A having diabetic patients and Group B having non-diabetic patients. Sterile speculum examination was done and vaginal specimens were collected with sterile cotton swabs. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was done in all diabetic patients to check their glycemic control. Results: Mean age in each group was similar. No difference in terms of multi parity was noted (p> 0.05) among the two groups and majority were already pregnant 2 or 3 times prior to the current pregnancy. At the time of the study majority of the patients were in the second trimester in group B and third trimester in Group A. No difference in terms of itching as the main complaint was noted among the two groups (p>0.05). On vaginal speculum examination discharge was more frequent in Group A. Vaginal culture for Candida was positive in only 108 (36%) of subjects and significantly more common in diabetics (p = 0.001). 45% of diabetics developed VVC compared to 27% in non-diabetics (p = 0.001). All patients with poor control had VVC. Conclusion: Diabetic pregnant patients have higher frequency of VVC and it is correlated with the level of sugar control.