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Astodrimer Gel for Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
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  • Ahmed Abu-Zaid,
  • Majed Saeed Alshahrani,
  • Hanadi Baksh,
  • Najlaa Talat Miski,
  • Mohammed Abuzaid,
  • Osama Alomar,
  • Emad Jabrah,
  • Hany Salem,
  • Ismail A. Al-Badawi,
  • Saeed Baradwan
Ahmed Abu-Zaid
University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Corresponding Author:aabuzaid@live.com

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Majed Saeed Alshahrani
Najran University
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Hanadi Baksh
Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University
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Najlaa Talat Miski
King Abdulaziz University
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Mohammed Abuzaid
King Fahad Medical City
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Osama Alomar
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
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Emad Jabrah
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
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Hany Salem
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
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Ismail A. Al-Badawi
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
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Saeed Baradwan
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Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is a frequent source of vaginal infection among reproductive-aged women. Astodrimer gel is a novel drug which demonstrated favorable outcomes for treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis. Aim: We attempted to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which examined the efficacy and safety of astodrimer gel in patients with bacterial vaginosis. Methods: We searched four databases from inception to August 15th, 2020 using relevant keywords. We identified all RCTs which surveyed the efficacy and safety of astodrimer gel in treating patients with bacterial vaginosis. We appraised the quality of the included RCTs using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. We pooled dichotomous outcomes as numbers and totals and reported them as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) under random- or fixed-effects meta-analysis models depending on heterogeneity. Results: Three eligible studies comprising four independent RCTs and 1165 patients were identified (614 and 551 patients received astodrimer gel and placebo, respectively). For efficacy outcomes (n=320 astodrimer gel versus n=260 placebo), astodrimer gel was significantly superior to placebo for all pooled efficacy outcomes, including clinical cure rate (at 9-12 and 21-30 days), microbiological Nugent cure rate (at 9-12 and 21-30 days), patient self-reported absence of vaginal odor/discharge (at 9-12 and 21-30 days), resolution of Amsel criteria (at 9-12 days) and percentage of patients who received rescue therapy (during study). With respect to safety outcomes (n=614 astodrimer gel versus n=551 placebo), astodrimer gel demonstrated equal tolerability to placebo for all pooled safety endpoints, expect unfavorably for vulvovaginal candidiasis and treatment-related vulvovaginal candidiasis. Conclusions: Astodrimer gel is effective in treating bacterial vaginosis and corroborated by clinical (Amsel criteria) and microbiological (Nugent score) measurements as well as patient-reported symptoms. Moreover, astodrimer gel is largely safe and associated with marginal rate of vulvovaginal candidiasis.
03 Sep 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
03 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
03 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
28 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jan 20211st Revision Received
23 Jan 2021Submission Checks Completed
23 Jan 2021Assigned to Editor
23 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept