Application of survival analysis in evaluation of therapeutic effect of fluconazole and clotrimazole for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis

Objective To evaluate clinical therapeutic effect of fluconazole and clotrimazole for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis,and to investigate dynamically curative rate of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) by using survival analysis.Methods After receiving 2 courses of treatment with fluconazole and clotrimazole,171 clinically cured patients among 192 patients who received combined treatment were randomly assigned into two groups in 1:1 proportion: the treatment group and the control group.The patients in the treatment group(n=85) continued to receive combined after treatment for 6 courses.While those patients in the control group didn't receive after treatment.At 3 months and 6 months after treatment or observation,all patients were followed-up for reexamination(done after menstruation). Results The cumulative curative rate calculated by using Kaplan-Meier method in the treatment group at 6,9,12 months were 84.4%,60.44% and 28.76%,respectively.While those in the control group were 22.48%,11.24% and 5.62%,respectively(P0.01).The mean recurrent rate in the treatment group was 9.47%,while that in the control group was 4.70%.Conclusion Small dose,long course of combined treatment with fluconazole and clotrimazole can reduce the recurrence rate of symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis.But long-term cure remains difficult to achieve.