Red Scrotum Syndrome Treatment with Pregabalin: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Red scrotum syndrome (RSS), also known as male genital dysesthesia, is a rare condition characterized by scrotal erythema, burning, pain, and pruritus.
• Its pathophysiology remains unknown, but it is increasingly linked to chronic topical steroid use in the male genital area.
• Current treatment options for RSS are limited and lack standardization, highlighting the need for further research into effective therapies.

Observation:

• This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of pregabalin in five patients diagnosed with RSS at a tertiary-care hospital's outpatient dermatology clinic.
• All participants had a history of chronic topical steroid application in the genital region, often using combined corticosteroid, antifungal, and antibiotic formulations.
• Patient ages ranged from 28 to 63 years.

Findings:

• Four patients received pregabalin monotherapy (150 mg once daily at night), and one received pregabalin combined with doxycycline.
• Complete remission was observed in two patients after one month, one patient at two months, and two patients at three months.
• No recurrences were noted during an average follow-up period of 9.4 months, with only one patient reporting mild, non-disruptive morning drowsiness.

Implications:

• Pregabalin demonstrates significant potential as a well-tolerated and effective treatment for Red scrotum syndrome.
• These findings suggest pregabalin could be a valuable addition to the limited therapeutic arsenal for managing RSS.
• Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results and establish standardized treatment protocols for RSS.