Vulvar lichen planus a retrospective analysis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Gynecology
• Autoimmune Disorders

Background:

• Vulvar lichen planus (VLP) is a rare mucocutaneous condition impacting quality of life and potentially increasing malignancy risk.
• Limited comprehensive data exists on VLP's clinical features and treatment effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze demographic and clinical characteristics of VLP patients.
• To evaluate the efficacy of current therapeutic approaches for VLP.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 70 female VLP patients (January 2014 - August 2024).
• Analysis of clinical data, treatments, and outcomes.
• Statistical analysis using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and χ² tests.

Main Results:

• Mean age at diagnosis was 59.3 years; median disease duration was 2 years.
• Pruritus (80.0%) and dyspareunia (62.9%) were most common symptoms.
• Corticosteroids used in 97.1% of cases; remission achieved in 25.7%, with younger patients showing higher rates (p=0.005).
• Thyroid disease was the most frequent comorbidity (32.9%).

Conclusions:

• VLP primarily affects middle-aged women; corticosteroids are the standard first-line treatment.
• Younger age is linked to improved VLP treatment outcomes.
• Emphasizes the need for early intervention and personalized VLP management strategies.