摘要
OBJECTIVE: A substantial, but highly variable, percentage of women with bact er ial vaginosis are said to be asymptomatic. The purpose of this study was to esti mate the prevalence of symptoms among women with bacterial vaginosis compared wi th women without bacterial vaginosis by direct, explicit, and detailed questioni ng of these women. METHODS: Women presenting for a routine health care visit at 12 health department clinics in Birmingham, Alabama, were recruited to participa te in a longitudinal study of vaginal flora. At the first visit, they underwent a pelvic examination, lower genital tract microbiological evaluation, and an int erview that included detailed questions regarding lower genital tract symptoms. The prevalence of sym ptoms among women with and without bacterial vaginosis (Gram stain score 7 or hi gher) was compared. RESULTS: Among 2,888 women without gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or trichomonas, 75%of women with and 82%of women without bacterial vaginosis neve r noted any vaginal odor in the past 6 months (P < .001). The corresponding valu es were 63%and 65%for never noting vaginal “wetness”(P = .02); 58%and 57%f or vaginal discharge (P = .65); 91%and 86%for irritation (P = .004); 88%and 8 5%for itching (P = .64); and 96%and 94%for dysuria (P = .002), respectively. Cumulatively, 58%of women with bacterial vaginosis noted odor, discharge, and/o r wetness in the past 6 months compared with 57%of women without bacterial vagi nosis (P = .70). CONCLUSION: The 2 classic symptoms of bacterial vaginosis disch arge and odor are each reported by a minority of women with bacterial vaginosis and are only slightly more prevalent than among women without bacterial vaginosi s.
OBJECTIVE: A substantial, but highly variable, percentage of women with bact er ial vaginosis are said to be asymptomatic. The purpose of this study was to esti mate the prevalence of symptoms among women with bacterial vaginosis compared wi th women without bacterial vaginosis by direct, explicit, and detailed questioni ng of these women. METHODS: Women presenting for a routine health care visit at 12 health department clinics in Birmingham, Alabama, were recruited to participa te in a longitudinal study of vaginal flora. At the first visit, they underwent a pelvic examination, lower genital tract microbiological evaluation, and an int erview that included detailed questions regarding lower genital tract symptoms. The prevalence of sym ptoms among women with and without bacterial vaginosis (Gram stain score 7 or hi gher) was compared. RESULTS: Among 2,888 women without gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or trichomonas, 75%of women with and 82%of women without bacterial vaginosis neve r noted any vaginal odor in the past 6 months (P < .001). The corresponding valu es were 63%and 65%for never noting vaginal “wetness”(P = .02); 58%and 57%f or vaginal discharge (P = .65); 91%and 86%for irritation (P = .004); 88%and 8 5%for itching (P = .64); and 96%and 94%for dysuria (P = .002), respectively. Cumulatively, 58%of women with bacterial vaginosis noted odor, discharge, and/o r wetness in the past 6 months compared with 57%of women without bacterial vagi nosis (P = .70). CONCLUSION: The 2 classic symptoms of bacterial vaginosis disch arge and odor are each reported by a minority of women with bacterial vaginosis and are only slightly more prevalent than among women without bacterial vaginosi s.
