Astodrimer Gel for Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
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.