Chronic inflammation of the vagina: treatment and relationship to autoimmunity.
J Reprod Med
; 50(7): 513-23, 2005 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16130849
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate noninfective, symptomatic, chronic inflammation (CI) of the vaginal mucosa to determine its prevalence and immunologic basis and to initiate an immunologic approach to treatment and assess the response. STUDYDESIGN:
A prospective, observational, clinical study of 55 women with dyspareunia and/or discharge of vaginal mucosal origin. Vaginal biopsies and immune investigations were carried out. Treatment was instituted utilizing immune-modifying agents.RESULTS:
The prevalence of CI of the vagina in symptom-free women was 0-4.3% and in the symptomatic group, 89%. Systemic immune activation was demonstrated in 43 of the 55, with 21 suffering from an autoimmune disease or a condition in which immune activation plays a part, including endometriosis in 20. Thirty-one were treated; intravaginal hydrocortisone acetate 10% foam was given in 24, giving full relief in 14 and inadequate relief in 10. Hydroxychloroquine, an immune-modifying, antirheumatic drug, was added and largely gave relief in these 10. Hydroxychloroquine alone was given in 4 and was effective in 3. Overall, immune-modifying drugs were successful in 97%.CONCLUSION:
CI of the vaginal mucosa stems from local immune activation and is generally associated with evidence of other immune abnormalities, including autoimmune diseases and disorders in which immune activation play a part, including endometriosis. It can be successfully treated by immune modification.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças Autoimunes
/
Vagina
/
Vaginite
/
Descarga Vaginal
/
Dispareunia
/
Imunossupressores
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article