Associations vulvar lichen sclerosus with autoimmune thyroid diseases

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is defined as a chronic inflammatory skin disease that most often involves lesions on the mucous membranes of the vulva with a tendency to progress to the anal skin. The etiopathogenesis of VLS remains unknown and is likely multifactorial. Data emphasize the role of immunological factors - more than 25% of VLS cases coexist with autoimmune diseases. The purpose of the present study was to determine the correlation of the prevalence of anti-thyroid antibodies - IgG class antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and IgG class antibodies against thyroglobulin in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus, and the appropriateness of screening tests for autoimmune thyroid diseases in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Fifty women with vulvar lichen sclerosus were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 41 healthy women. A detailed medical history was taken with all patients, followed by laboratory determinations - anti-thyroid antibodies - IgG class antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and IgG class antibodies against thyroglobulin.

Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase were present in 12% of the study group with vulvar lichen sclerosus and 4.88% of the control group, and this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.41). Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were detected in 4% of the patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus and 4.88% of the control group, and this difference was not statistically significant either (p = 0.76).

The study did not confirm the association of VLS with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Undoubtedly, based on the data available in the literature, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms behind the association between vulvar lichen sclerosus and autoimmune thyroid diseases.