{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: POLARIS: efficacy and safety of a vaginal medical device in recurrent bacterial vaginosis-a multicenter, open-label, non-controlled, study with 10 months of follow-up.
{Author}: Murina F;Inghirami P;Biriș M;Sîrbu D;Barattini DF;Ardolino LI;Mangrella M;Casolati E;Roșu SM;Crișan C;
{Journal}: J Int Med Res
{Volume}: 52
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: 2024 May
{Factor}: 1.573
{DOI}: 10.1177/03000605241239021
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Recurrent bacterial vaginosis (RBV) after antibiotic treatment has relapse rates of 35% within 3 months and 60% within 12 months. A medical device containing polycarbophil, lauryl glucoside, and glycerides (PLGG) inhibits bacterial growth and has mucoadhesive properties. This study examined the efficacy of the device in women with RBV.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This post-market clinical follow-up study comprised two phases. The first phase was an interventional, open-label, non-controlled, multicenter study enrolling 56 women. The second phase was an observational 10-month follow-up without treatment.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>After three cycles of PLGG treatment, recurrence was identified in 8 of 54 evaluable patients (14.81%). A positive effect on lactobacilli in the vaginal secretions was observed in 26 of 39 patients (66.67%). Among 35 patients observed after stopping PLGG treatment, one case of RBV (2.86%) was observed after 4 months, and an additional six cases (17.14%) were observed after 10 ± 2 months. Therefore, no recurrence was evidenced in 12 subjects (34.28%) at the end of the study.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The use of PLGG vaginal ovules in the treatment of BV reduces the rate of recurrence and apparently produces a positive effect on the vaginal microbiota.