Table 1 Summary of studies reporting on the emotional impact of BV.
Study population | Sample size | Definition of (recurrent) BV | Study design | Major findings | Study ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Women with recurrent BV | 35 | ≥ 2 self-reported episodes per year | Qualitative | Over 2/3rd of women experienced moderate to severe impact a. | Bilardi et al. 2013 [7] |
Women with recurrent BV | 35 | ≥ 2 self-reported episodes per year | Qualitative | The majority of women reported frustration and dissatisfaction with current treatment and clinical management a. | Bilardi et al. 2016 [17] |
NP, symptomatic BV | 33 | Clinical diagnosis based on patient-reported odorised discharge | Qualitative | Emotional and physical despair was reported by every woman in this study. | Anstey Watkins et al. 2019 [16] |
African-American women with recurrent BV | 20 | ≥ 2 proven episodes (lifetime) using Amsel criteria | Qualitative/ quantitative | In interviews, women expressed feeling acutely stressed and experienced increased sensitivity and depression during episodes of BV a. | Payne et al. 2010 [27] |
NP, symptomatic BV | 404 | Nugent score 3–10 and ≥ 3 Amsel criteria | Quantitative | 16.5% and 75.9% of women were respectively somewhat concerned to concerned/very distressed because of the effect of their symptoms on their quality of life. | Bradshaw et al. 2013 [18] |