[What is the current stage of vulvovaginal discomfort diagnostics in the Czech Republic? Pilot analysis]. / Jaký je aktuální stav diagnostiky vulvovaginálního dyskomfortuv Ceské republice? Pilotní analýza.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the level of the diagnostic effort of gynaecologists which is focused on the issue of vulvovaginal discomfort. DESIGN: Pilot questionnaire study. SETTINGS: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Department of Biological and Medici Sciences, FaF UK in Hradec Králové. METHODS AND RESULTS: The evaluation of selected parametres of entrance questionnaire in patients with chronic vulvovaginal discomfort (itching, burning, discharge, vulvodynia more than 4 times a year). It has been confirmed, with the questionnaires, that almost no gynaecologists are interested in the issue of this matter. CONCLUSION: After evaluating the questionnaires a diversion of patient-tailored attitude has been found out, which can lead to negative consequences, particularly, in the future. Overuse of antibacterial and antimycotic medication and blind treatment have been prevailing.

[Is diabetes mellitus a risk factor in genital yeast infections?]. / Je diabetes mellitus rizikový faktor kvasinkového posevního zánetu?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze experimental and clinical data on diabetes mellitus (DM) related to infections with focus on vaginal mycosis. To evaluate a role of DM in the epidemiology of vulvovaginal candidiasis. DESIGN: Review. SETTING: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove. METHODS: Review of literature data. RESULTS: DM is a risk factor for fungal infections caused by yeasts (Candida albicans), members of Mucorales fungi, some dimorphic fungi (Coccidioides) and agents of onychomycosis. DM is usually associated only with increased colonization of the anatomical sites (oral cavity, vagina), and/ or with an intensified symptomatology of infection (onychomycosis, mucormycosis). Diabetic patients with oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal candidiasis have frequently changed etiology spectrum. The patients with VVC and DM, especially of older age or with prone to relapses, have tendency to shift of the spectrum to non-albicans species, mainly C. glabrata. Treatment of VVC in diabetic patients can be complicated owing to unfavourable antifungal susceptibility profile (C. glabrata) and/ or adverse interactions between some azole antifungals and sulfonylurea-based antidiabetics. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is often cited as a risk factor, although in many cases there is a lack of reliable and clinically relevant information. This does not mean that this disease can be underestimated. On the contrary, it is necessary to get the DM as soon as possible under control and thus prevent complications when infection develops. Individual approach should be applied to the diabetic patients at risk of an infection. Yeast colonization and development of vaginal infection is complex process primarily dependent on sexual hormones, indigenous microbiota and finely tuned mechanisms of local immunity. Role of DM consists in the fact that it is one of the important co-factors that can change the setup of the vaginal environment in favour of yeasts and thus promote or facilitate the development of VVC.

[Vulvodynia and the possibility of its management]. / Nový pohled na problematiku vulvodynie.

OBJECTIVE: A study of vulvodynia and the possibility of its management. SUBJECT: Original study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teaching Hospital and Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Department of Neurology, Teaching Hospital and Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Outpatient psychiatric department Galenus, Hradec Králové. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Teaching Hospital and Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. METHODS: Analysis and discussion focused on our experience in a long time follow-up of patients with chronic vulvovaginal discomfort and vulvodynia. CONCLUSION: Especially the management of indolent form of vulvodynia would be taken into consideration of idiopathic origin and problematic management. Our study emphasizes the necessity of individual approach. The goal of therapy in this most problematic form is the improving of the actual quality of life. In the case of idiopathic forms of vulvodynia.

[Possibilities of diagnostics yeasts in gynecologist patients]. / Jak dáIe v diagnostice kvasinek u gynekologickch pacientek?

Problem of mycoses in gynecology is considered very frequent and yeasts are traditionally described as most common cause of vulvovaginal disorders. While acute disorders can be promptly cured in most cases, there is a group of women suffering from those repeatedly. Following article refers to a group of patients in long-term follow-up and shows realistic possibilities of diagnostics, available to out-patient gynecologist. Preliminary results of our pilot project do not confirm yeasts have to be the primary etiologic factor, nevertheless it is logical to be in search of them in these patients.

[Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis--possibility of its treatment]. / Rekurentní vulvovaginální kandidóza--soucasný stav problematiky a lécebné moznosti.

OBJECTIVE: A review of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and the possibility of its treatment. SUBJECT: Original study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Department of Clinical Imunology and Allergology, Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague. Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Olomouc, Palacky University, Olomouc. METHODS: Analysis and discussion focused especially on our results and experience in a long time followup of patients with confirmed recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. CONCLUSION: Owing to the multifactorial character of etiopathogenesis, the management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis would be taken into consideration the complexity of the disease, not only the treatment of individual episodes with antimycotics.

[Multidisciplinary approach to the management of vulvovaginal discomfort]. / Problematika vulvovaginálního dyskomfortu z hlediska mezioborové spolupráce.

Vulvovaginal discomfort is generally the most common reason for visiting a gynaecological clinic. The acute complaints are, in most cases, solved by a gynaecologist himself and the decision procedure is based on possibilities arising from outpatient examination. If need be, the evaluation of wet preparation should be carried out. In many cases we have been confronted with discrepant diagnosis where severe difficulties are not accompanied by relevant development of inflammatory changes and thus the diagnosis gives us an impression of quandary. In this case microbiological examination is the logic solution. With regard to changing living conditions we can expect in the future, that clinical symptoms of vulvovaginitis will not be entirely clear. The overview article points out the possibilities, which a gynecologist is able to use within differential diagnosis in the outpatient department. It also emphasis the necessity of interdisciplinary co-operation, particularly in patients with chronic difficulties where erudite evaluation of fixed preparation and culture examination are beneficial.