Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus. Issue 2 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murina, Filippo; Rehman, Subhia; Di Francesco, Stefania; Mantegazza, Valeria; Felice, Raffaele; Bianco, Vanda
• Is Part Of: Journal of lower genital tract disease. Volume 19:Issue 2(2015:Apr.)
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Generative organs, Female -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cervix uteri -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Generative organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; 618.1
• DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1089-2591

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective</title> <p>To compare the efficacy of the short-term application of clobetasol propionate 0.05% (CLB) and mometasone furoate 0.05% (MMF) in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Study Design</title> <p>This study was a retrospective review of 96 women who were diagnosed with lichen sclerosus with a follow-up of at least 1 year. Of these 96 women, 47 were treated with the topical application of CLB and 49 were treated with the topical application of MMF. All patients received treatment for 8 weeks. The drug was administered once daily for 4 weeks and then twice weekly for another 4 weeks in combination with a moisturizing cream that was continued as maintenance therapy. Subsequently, a topical steroid was applied on an as-needed basis if symptoms recurred. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary endpoint was the clinical response of the patients.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>A mean of 77.3% of the patients were defined as responders at the 12-month observation, without any significant difference between the 2 treatment groups (CLB mean 73% vs MMF mean 81.6%, <italic>p</italic> = .2). A pronounced improvement in itching was observed after 3 months of treatment in the MMF group (<italic>p</italic> = .04), whereas the other symptoms were not significantly different between the 2 groups.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This study indicates that CLB 0.05% and MMF 0.1% in a short protocol regimen are effective, safe, and reliable treatments for VLS, with no significant difference between the 2 steroids in their efficacy. However, a moisturizing cream should be an integral part of the treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>