DISPARITIES AND UNMET NEEDS IN VAGINITIS PATIENTS JOURNEY IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES
Author(s)
Mae Santullo, PharmD1, Julien TEXTORIS, MD, PhD1, Asma HAMID, MPH, MD2.
1bioMérieux, MARCY L'ETOILE, France, 2EMEA Evidence Generation Lead, bioMérieux, MARCY L'ETOILE, France.
1bioMérieux, MARCY L'ETOILE, France, 2EMEA Evidence Generation Lead, bioMérieux, MARCY L'ETOILE, France.
OBJECTIVES: Vaginitis, including bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis, is highly prevalent, yet care pathways remain poorly characterised. This study analysed women's self-reported experiences to identify multinational disparities in access to care, diagnostic practices, and quality-of-life (QoL) impact.
METHODS: A digital social listening study (2025-2026) captured 15,712 posts from online patient forums in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK), and English-language platforms (proxy for US-based experiences). Zero-shot natural language processing identified 3,082 verified patient/caregiver accounts. Posts were analysed for healthcare consultations, access barriers, diagnostic approaches, treatments, recurrence, and QoL impact.
RESULTS: Overall, 43% of posts described consulting a healthcare provider (HCP). The predominant point of contact varied by country: GP-led pathways predominated in the UK (304/538 HCP mentions, 57%) and France (198/511, 39%), with pharmacists accounting for 12% (58/511) of HCP mentions in France. Specialist-led pathways were more common in Italy (41/103, 40%) and the US (244/532, 46%). Self-treatment was mentioned 855 times (28% overall) and was the most-cited reason for not yet consulting an HCP, particularly in the US (132/353, 37%). Diagnosis was predominantly clinical; patient-reported etiological testing (culture/PCR/microscopy) ranged from 2% in Spain (3/141) to 12% in the US (114/903) and UK (71/594), indicating broad empiric treatment without etiological confirmation. Recurrence ranged from 11% (16/141, Spain) to 41% (241/594, UK). Among posts citing QoL impact, US cohorts reported a higher burden on sexual well-being (339/1,369, 25%) compared to Europe (203/2,727, ~7%), though cultural differences in online disclosure may contribute.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient narratives reveal substantial unmet needs in vaginitis management across diverse healthcare systems, including frequent self-treatment, fragmented care pathways, and limited etiological testing. As a social media-derived convenience sample, these findings are hypothesis-generating and may overrepresent refractory cases. Addressing these patterns requires clearer care pathways, targeted patient education, and expanded access to diagnostic testing.
METHODS: A digital social listening study (2025-2026) captured 15,712 posts from online patient forums in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK), and English-language platforms (proxy for US-based experiences). Zero-shot natural language processing identified 3,082 verified patient/caregiver accounts. Posts were analysed for healthcare consultations, access barriers, diagnostic approaches, treatments, recurrence, and QoL impact.
RESULTS: Overall, 43% of posts described consulting a healthcare provider (HCP). The predominant point of contact varied by country: GP-led pathways predominated in the UK (304/538 HCP mentions, 57%) and France (198/511, 39%), with pharmacists accounting for 12% (58/511) of HCP mentions in France. Specialist-led pathways were more common in Italy (41/103, 40%) and the US (244/532, 46%). Self-treatment was mentioned 855 times (28% overall) and was the most-cited reason for not yet consulting an HCP, particularly in the US (132/353, 37%). Diagnosis was predominantly clinical; patient-reported etiological testing (culture/PCR/microscopy) ranged from 2% in Spain (3/141) to 12% in the US (114/903) and UK (71/594), indicating broad empiric treatment without etiological confirmation. Recurrence ranged from 11% (16/141, Spain) to 41% (241/594, UK). Among posts citing QoL impact, US cohorts reported a higher burden on sexual well-being (339/1,369, 25%) compared to Europe (203/2,727, ~7%), though cultural differences in online disclosure may contribute.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient narratives reveal substantial unmet needs in vaginitis management across diverse healthcare systems, including frequent self-treatment, fragmented care pathways, and limited etiological testing. As a social media-derived convenience sample, these findings are hypothesis-generating and may overrepresent refractory cases. Addressing these patterns requires clearer care pathways, targeted patient education, and expanded access to diagnostic testing.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR197
Topic
Patient-Centered Research, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Reproductive & Sexual Health