Combining commonly used commercial Chinese polyherbal preparations with conventional treatment can better treat patients suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis without significantly increasing adverse reactions.
The researchers conducted this evaluation by searching major Chinese and English literature databases to gather randomized controlled trials of commercially used Chinese polyherbal preparations combined with conventional treatment. The trials involved patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and compared the effects to those receiving conventional treatment alone. After screening literature, the quality of the chosen studies was evaluated through a risk bias assessment tool following the recommendation in the 5.3 of the Cochrane Handbook. The outcome data was categorized and analysed using Stata 15.0.
Due to this systematic method, the researchers managed to include a total of 74 randomized controlled trials which involved 8,151 patients and nine interventions. The results showed that certain CCPPs combined with conventional treatment offered significant improvements. Fufang Shajiziyou suppository in combination with traditional treatment showed enhancement in the negative conversion rate and control of the recurrence rate of Albicans. Kangfu gel mixed with conventional treatment were effective in providing relief from pruritus. Baofukang suppository with conventional treatment showed the most reduction in leukorrhea, and Fufukang spray combined with conventional treatment reported few adverse reactions. The use of local CCPP does not significantly increase the occurrence of adverse reactions but may result in better curative effects for patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. However, due to the lower quality of the included literature, the results call for attention when applied in clinical practice.
