Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is a debilitating, long-term condition that can
severely affect the quality of life of affected women. No estimates of the global
prevalence or lifetime incidence of this disease have been reported. For this systematic
review, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for population-based
studies published between 1985 and 2016 that reported on the prevalence of recurrent
vulvovaginal candidiasis, defined as four or more episodes of the infection every
year. We identified 489 unique articles, of which eight were included, consisting
of 17 365 patients from 11 countries. We generated estimates of annual global prevalence,
estimated lifetime incidence and economic loss due to recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis,
and predicted the number of women at risk to 2030. Worldwide, recurrent vulvovaginal
candidiasis affects about 138 million women annually (range 103-172 million), with
a global annual prevalence of 3871 per 100 000 women; 372 million women are affected
by recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis over their lifetime. The 25-34 year age group
has the highest prevalence (9%). By 2030, the population of women with recurrent vulvovaginal
candidiasis each year is estimated to increase to almost 158 million, resulting in
20 240 664 extra cases with current trends using base case estimates in parallel with
an estimated growth in females from 3·34 billion to 4·181 billion. In high-income
countries, the economic burden from lost productivity could be up to US$14·39 billion
annually. The high prevalence, substantial morbidity, and economic losses of recurrent
vulvovaginal candidiasis require better solutions and improved quality of care for
affected women.