Vulvar lichen planus a retrospective analysis

Vulvar lichen planus (VLP) is a rare mucocutaneous disorder with significant impacts on quality of life and a potential risk of malignancy. Comprehensive data on its clinical features and treatment outcomes remain limited. To analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with VLP and to evaluate the efficacy of current therapeutic approaches. A retrospective review was conducted on 70 female patients diagnosed with VLP at a single institution between January 2014 and August 2024. Clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ² test as appropriate. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.3 ± 12.4 years, with a median disease duration of 2 years (range: 6 months-10 years). Pruritus (80.0%) and dyspareunia (62.9%) were the most prevalent symptoms. Corticosteroid therapy was the mainstay treatment, administered to 97.1% of patients, with superpotent topical corticosteroids being the most common (47.1%). Remission was achieved in 25.7% of cases, with younger patients exhibiting significantly higher remission rates (p = 0.005). Thyroid disease was the most common comorbid autoimmune condition, present in 32.9% of patients. VLP predominantly affects middle-aged women, with corticosteroids remaining the first-line therapy. Younger age appears to be associated with better treatment outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention and individualized therapeutic strategies. Further studies are warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms driving age-related differences in disease outcomes.