Effectiveness of redcore lotion in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE:To summarize and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Redcore lotion on treating vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) using a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS:A systematic literature search was performed in five English and three Chinese electronic databases up to October 2019. Randomized controlled trials in the treatment for VVC were included; only studies which compared the effectiveness and safety of Redcore lotion plus miconazole with miconazole alone were included. Relative risk(RR) and 95% confidence intervals(CI) were used in the Meta-analysis. RESULTS:Seven studies involving 768 patients suffering from VVC were identified; 468 of the patients were pregnant women(60.9%). Combination group(Redcore lotion plus miconazole) was more effective in redu CIng symptomatic episodes of VVC than miconazole alone, with respect to cure rate(RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09-1.57; P = 0.01), fungal culture negative rate(RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.41; P = 0.01), and effective rate(RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35; P = 0.01). Subgroup analyses for pregnant women also showed that the combination group had superior outcomes with respect to VVC cure rate(RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.16-1.88, P < 0.01), fungal culture negative rate(RR, 1.26; 95% CI; 1.09-1.47; P < 0.01), and effective rate(RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.42; P < 0.01). Additionally, the observed risk of adverse events was lower in the combination medication group(RR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.14-0.65; P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:Though overall quality of individual studies was low, Redcore lotion plus miconazole can significantly improve clinical effectiveness and safety compared with miconazole alone.