Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes survey in Latin America (VIVA-LATAM): focus on Brazil

Abstract

Objective

A previous survey investigated postmenopausal vaginal atrophy in a sample of women across Latin America. To help implement a tailored approach to improve postmenopausal care and outcomes in Brazil, we consider results from the survey for this country.

Methods

A total of 2509 postmenopausal women resident in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, or Mexico completed an online questionnaire. The Brazilian cohort comprised 504 women.

Results

Over half of the Brazilian cohort (56%) reported experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy; most described them as moderate or severe (76%), and almost half (48%) experienced symptoms for at least 1 year. Three-quarters of the Brazilian cohort (75%) were unaware of the chronic nature of the condition. Upon experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy, 92% had visited a health-care provider to discuss treatment options. Overall, 56% were aware of some form of local hormone therapy and 40% of those affected by vaginal atrophy had used such treatment.

Conclusion

Postmenopausal women in Brazil are likely to benefit from increased awareness of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Health-care providers can potentially improve outcomes by helping women to understand the chronic nature of the condition and available treatment options. Women may be open to education pre menopause, before symptoms occur.

摘要

目标：先前的一项调查以整个拉丁美洲的女性为样本进行了绝经后阴道萎缩的调查。为了帮助巴西实施个性化方案改善绝经后护理和结果, 我们研究了该国的调查结果。

方法：居住在阿根廷, 巴西, 智利, 哥伦比亚或墨西哥的2509名绝经后妇女完成了线上问卷。巴西队列中有504名妇女。

结果：超过一半的巴西队列（56％）报告有过阴道萎缩症状；大多数人为中度或重度（76％）, 几乎一半（48％）症状至少持续了一年。四分之三的巴西队列（75％）未意识到该病的慢性特性。出现阴道萎缩症状后, 有92％的人去了医疗保健机构讨论治疗方案。总体而言, 有56％的人了解一些形式的局部激素疗法, 而受阴道萎缩影响的人中有40％曾使用过这些疗法。结论：提升对阴道萎缩症状的认识可能会使巴西的绝经后妇女受益。医疗保健提供者可以通过帮助妇女了解病情的长期特性和可用的治疗方案来潜在地改善预后。妇女可能在症状出现之前接受绝经前的教育。

Keywords:

• Attitudes
• Brazil
• insights
• postmenopausal vaginal atrophy
• survey

Potential conflict of interest

Luciano Melo Pompei has a financial relationship (lecturer or member of advisory boards) with Abbott, Aché, Amgen, Bayer, Besins, FQM, Grünenthal, Hypera, Libbs, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sanofi and Zodiac.

María Celeste Osorio Wender has a financial relationship (lecturer or member of advisory boards) with Novo Nordisk, Libbs and Grunenthal.

Nilson Roberto de Melo has no conflicts to disclose.

Jaime Kulak Jr has no conflicts to disclose.

Dolores Pardini is a member of advisory boards with Besins.

Rogério Bonassi Machado has a financial relationship (lecturer or member of advisory boards) with Bayer, Besins, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Libbs and Grunenthal.

César Eduardo Fernandes has declared no conflicts of interest for this publication.

Santiago Palacios has received grants from Pfizer, Amgen, Gedeon Ritcher, Exeltis, Bayer Schering, Msd, Procare Health, Serelys, Mylan, and grants and personal fees from Shionogi.

Rossella E. Nappi has a past financial relationship (lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with Boehringer Ingelheim, Ely Lilly, Endoceutics, Gedeon Richter, HRA Pharma, Pfizer Inc, Procter & Gamble Co, TEVA Women's Health Inc and Zambon SpA. At present, she has on-going relationship with Bayer HealthCare AG, Exceltis, Fidia, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Novo Nordisk, Palatin Technologies, Shionogi Limited and Theramex.

Additional information

Funding

Nil.