Meta-analysis on live lactobacillus preparation plus clotrimazole for treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of live lactobacillus preparation plus clotrimazole on treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis by Meta-analysis. Methods Randomized controlled trials on treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with live lactobacillus preparation plus clotrimazole published in China from 1966 to 2013 were retrieved for further analysis by Revman4.2 software. Results There was significant difference in the efficacy of vulvovaginal candidiasis treatment between live lactobacillus preparation plus clotrimazole and clotrimazole alone, with the point estimate of combined RR value of 1.06 and confidence interval of 1.03-1.09(P=0.0001 0.05). There was statistical significance between combined drug use and clotrimazole alone with regard to the recurrence rate within 1, 2, 3 months after follow-up [RR= 036, 95%CI(0.20, 0.66), Z=3.33, P=0.0009; RR=0.29, 95%CI(0.13, 0.61), Z=3.26, P=0.001; RR=0.26, 95%CI(0.09, 0.75), Z=2.48, P=0.01]. Conclusion As for treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, live lactobacillus preparation plus clotrimazole has better therapeutic effects and lower recurrence rate than clotrimazole alone.