The prevalence of self‐reported medical comorbidities in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus: A single‐center retrospective study. Issue 2 (12th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Jun; Hesson, Ashley; Haefner, Hope K.; Rominski, Sarah
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 153:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2020-12-12
• Subjects: Age -- Anorectal fissures -- Medical comorbidity -- Thyroid disease -- Vulvar lichen sclerosus; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13480
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To compare the demographics and self‐reported medical comorbidities of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) with those of women with other vulvar conditions. Methods: Intake questionnaires for patients presenting to the University of Michigan Center for Vulvar Diseases between 1996 and 2019 were entered into a de‐identified database (n = 1983). Responses to questions about thyroid disease, urinary symptoms and signs, gastrointestinal conditions, and pain conditions were collected. Results: A total of 1983 women, including 865 patients with VLS and 1118 patients without VLS were enrolled. Pearson's χ 2 analysis showed that age, hypertension, anorectal fissures, peptic ulcer disease/gastroesophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, fibromyalgia, thyroid disease, kidney problems, liver problems, and cancer were significantly associated with VLS when compared between the VLS and non‐VLS groups ( P < 0.01). However, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that only age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were strongly associated with VLS ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: Increasing age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were significantly associated with VLS. The association between anorectal fissures and VLS likely represents a sequela of the disease rather than a true comorbidity. Synopsis: Increasing age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were significantly associated with vulvar lichen sclerosus.