BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. wholly owned subsidiary of Lupin Limited, dedicated to delivering high-quality medications trusted by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and women across many treatment areas, has partnered with the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) to conduct a national online survey of 301 HCPs (including OB/GYNs and NP/PAs) who treat women with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Results from the national survey underscore the need for improved patient and HCP communication to educate on BV and the associated risk factors, as well as reasons for the lack of adherence to current therapies and the need for new treatment options for the condition.
BV is the most prevalent gynecologic infection in the U.S. among women ages 14-49 though the condition often goes undiagnosed. [1] If left untreated, BV can increase the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, trichomoniasis and HIV, increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may affect fertility, or can lead to pre-term birth and low birth weight. [2,3]
According to the national survey:
- Fewer than half of HCPs (48 percent) say that most of their patients know what BV is.
- Most HCPs (88 percent) state that patients often mistake their BV for a yeast infection.
- The majority of HCPs (61 percent) believe that some patients do not discuss all of their BV symptoms.
- Almost all HCPs (94 percent) say that if their patients with BV do not call or schedule a follow-up appointment, they assume all is well. [4]
“BV is the most common gynecologic infection in women of reproductive age and can increase the risk of serious health consequences if left untreated. Due to the serious risks associated with BV, prompt diagnosis and treatment must be a priority,” said Gay Johnson, CEO of NPWH. “These survey results reaffirm the importance of an open dialogue between professionals and patients regarding BV to ensure proper care.”
Results of the survey reveal that approximately one-third (30 percent) of HCPs feel the current available therapies for BV are very difficult to complete. When asked about reasons why patients did not adhere to oral therapies, most common reasons provided by HCPs were that symptoms cleared up, so patients stopped use (80 percent), the patient forgot to take the treatment (56 percent), patient was experiencing side effects (55 percent), or the patient wanted to drink alcohol (54 percent), alluding to current oral treatments which restrict alcohol intake. For those who did not adhere to intravaginal treatments, one of the most common reasons noted by HCPs was that they were too messy to continue (71 percent). [4]
“BV, a common infection among women of childbearing age, is associated with many other conditions that affect one’s health. With only an estimated 50 percent of women taking a full course of treatment, healthcare providers should consider all treatment options when seeing a woman with BV,” said Paul Nyirjesy, MD, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.
For more information, visit www.KeepHerAwesome.com, a resource that provides women and healthcare professionals with information on BV, downloadable fact sheets, discussion guides, and additional patient and practice resources.
About the Survey
The healthcare professional survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) within the United States between March 1-15, 2018 among 150 OB/GYNs and 151 nurse practitioners board certified in women’s health (NPs) or OB/GYN physician assistants (PAs) who see an average of 20 or more women with BV in a month. OB/GYN results were weighted for gender by years in practice and region and NP/PA results were weighted for age by sex, income, race/ethnicity, region, education and occupation where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.
A patient survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll between September 14-29, 2017 among 304 women aged 18-49 who have been diagnosed by a healthcare professional with BV within the past 2 years. Figures for age, income, race/ethnicity, region, education, and size of household were weighted where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.
Results from the patient survey found:
- 63 percent of BV patients say their HCP provided them with general information about BV, but far fewer (34 percent) say they discussed the risks associated with BV if left untreated.
- 76 percent would have gone to see their HCP sooner if they were aware of the risks associated with BV if left untreated.
- 37 percent did not know they had an infection prior to their HCP diagnosing it.
- 68 percent wish they had spoken to their HCP sooner about their BV symptoms.
- 29 percent who have used prescription BV treatments feel the current available therapies for BV are very difficult to adhere to. [4]
About National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH)
The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health's mission is to ensure quality primary and specialty health care to women of all ages by women's health nurse practitioners. NPWH serves all advanced practice registered nurses who care for women by providing education and resources to increase clinical competencies, advocating for health care policies that support women and APRNs, collaborating with interprofessional strategic partners, and fostering evidence-based practice in women's health through research.
NPWH seeks to increase women's wellness and health outcomes, decrease health disparities affecting women, enhance women's access to and knowledge of health resources, and protect and promote women's rights to make choices regarding their health within the context of their personal beliefs. More information is available at www.npwh.org.
About Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the U.S. wholly owned subsidiary of Lupin Limited, and is the 4th largest pharmaceutical company in the U.S. based on prescriptions filled. Together, all Lupin-owned entities combine to make up the 7th largest pharmaceutical company in the world in total sales. Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is dedicated to delivering high-quality medications trusted by healthcare professionals and women across many treatment areas. Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s branded pharmaceuticals division, headquartered in Baltimore, MD, is the provider of numerous products designed to help prevent and manage women’s health conditions with serious health consequences.
REFERENCES
- Koumans E.H., Sternberg M, Bruce C, et al. (2007). “The Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in the United States, 2001-2004: Associations with Symptoms, Sexual Behaviors, and Reproductive Health." Sex Transm Dis. 34(11): 864-869.
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm.
- Brotman RM. Vaginal microbiome and sexually transmitted infections: an epidemic perspective. J Clin Invest. 2011;121(12):4610-4617.
- Data on File.
