DIAGNOSIS OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS PATIENTS TREATED IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSTIC ASPECTS

INTRODUCTION: BV is currently considered the most prevalent vaginal infection in women of reproductive age, affecting approximately 10 to 30% of women in this group worldwide. However, it is assumed that this prevalence is linked to the population studied, ranging from 4% in developed countries to 61% in underdeveloped countries. Following the global trend, in Pakistan, BV is also a very common condition, affecting approximately 45% of women with complaints of vaginal discharge vaginal. Although, one parameter of difficult determination and possible to underestimate due the high frequency of carriers asymptomatic, who do not seek medical care because they have no complaints, and are therefore not included in the studies. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study using  score of Nugent for the presence of BV among the patients in  Lahore, Pakistan. To establish the validity and reliability of the presence of clue-cells as indicator from the syndrome, correlating results obtained in the preventive examination (Pap smear). METHODS: The present study is of descriptive, observational and transversal nature and was carried out with random samples, obtained from a sample population composed of patients of sex feminine, treated at various hospital in Lahore, Pakistan during April 2023 and April 2024. The patients answered a questionnaire to characterize their epidemiological profile, containing information such as: marital status, education, occupation and sexual activity. Patients who sought the aforementioned medical services were included in the study. RESULTS: Results of the exams of Pap smear of the patients were obtained. They were collected samples of 89 patients to the period mentioned, being 55.1% (49/89) coming from the Gynecology Department of public hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan and 44.9% (40/89) from the Gynecology Department of Private Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. The average age of patients served is 39.9 years. Among the patients of the Gynecology Department of Public Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan the average age was 43.5 years old, and among those in the Gynecology Department of Private Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, 35.6 years old. DISCUSSION: Data suggest that the highest prevalence of BV is associated with women of reproductive age, which may reflect the fact that the microorganisms that cause BV use glycogen as a substrate, whose cellular accumulation is related to hormonal stimulation. CONCLUSION: It is a quick and easy-to-perform method, both for determining the Nugent score, which detected a 46.1% occurrence of BV in the population studied; and for evaluating the presence of clue cells, requiring only a professional trained pathologist to view the slides. In addition to assisting in complementary diagnosis, associated with clinical Gynecology Department of Public Hospital, which directs towards a correct diagnosis and treatment, reducing the indiscriminate and abusive use of antimicrobials