Clinical evaluation of vulvar lichen sclerosus: case series.

INTRODUCTION

Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a chronic dermatitis which is located in labial, perineal and perianal areas. The etiology of lichen sclerosus is multifactorial including genetic, autoimmune, hormonal and infectious aspects.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out of the medical records of 82 patients who were suffering from pruritus vulva. All patients had vulvar biopsy-proven diagnosis of lichen sclerosus.

RESULTS

Sixty-six of patients (80.4%) were in the postmenopausal period and 16 patients (19.5%) were in the premenopausal phase. Fifteen patients (18.2%) had thyroid disease, six had (7.3%) diabetes mellitus, five had (6.09%) asthma and five patients had (6.09%) other autoimmune diseases. Lichen sclerosus was most commonly located on the labia majora--58 cases (70.7%). Sixty-four patients (78.04%) had used only potent corticosteroid therapy as the sole treatment.

CONCLUSION

The first-line treatment is topical-potent or ultra-potent corticosteroids in the treatment of lichen sclerosis. Vulvar lichen sclerosis may be associated with autoimmune and thyroid diseases.