Comparing Metronidazole Gel and Triple-Sulfa Cream for Bacterial Vaginosis
Author Information
Author(s): Jack D. Sobel, Walter Chaim, Jessica Thomason, Charles Livengood, Richard Sweet, James A. McGregor, David Eschenbach, Sharon Hillier, Rudolph Galask, Sebastian Faro, Elizabeth Shangle, David Baker
Primary Institution: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Is metronidazole gel more effective than triple-sulfa cream in treating bacterial vaginosis?
Conclusion
Metronidazole gel is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for bacterial vaginosis.
Supporting Evidence
- At the final visit, 66% of patients treated with metronidazole remained cured compared to 47% of those treated with triple-sulfa.
- Metronidazole was statistically superior in eliminating 3 of the 4 criteria for bacterial vaginosis at the final visit.
- The clinical diagnosis had a high correlation (88%) with independent assessments by Gram's stain.
Takeaway
This study looked at two treatments for a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis. It found that one treatment, metronidazole gel, worked better than the other, triple-sulfa cream.
Methodology
A double-blinded study where 247 women with symptomatic bacterial vaginosis were randomly assigned to receive either metronidazole gel or triple-sulfa cream for 5 days.
Limitations
The study had a high dropout rate and included a population with a history of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
Participant Demographics
Nonpregnant women, 18 years or older, with a mean age of 30.6 years; 47% white and 47% black.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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