Clearance in vulvar lichen sclerosus: a realistic treatment endpoint or a chimera?

Abstract

Background

according to the current guidelines, the aim of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) treatment is to improve symptoms and signs, not to cure.

Objective

to assess i) the rate of VLS patients who achieved complete clearance of symptoms or objective features, or both, with a 12-week pharmacological treatment and ii) the predictive value of therapeutic response of the demographic and clinical features.

Methods

we retrospectively included VLS patients who had undergone any topical treatment for 12 weeks; demographics, history, VLS-related symptoms and objective features recorded at baseline and on completion of treatment were collected and elaborated. The primary study endpoint was to assess the rate of patients achieving complete clearance of global subjective score (GSS), or in global objective score (GOS), and in both scores.

Results

196 patients were included; 24 (12.2%) were asymptomatic at baseline, 9 (4.6%) dropped out. After treatment 78 patients (47.3%) achieved GSS = 0, 40 (21.4%) achieved GOS = 0, and 23 (13.9%) achieved complete clearance of both symptoms and signs. Lower symptom scores at baseline and shorter disease duration were associated with the achievement of symptom clearance at the end of the treatment. Earlier disease onset, diagnosis and beginning of study treatment as well as lower baseline GOS were significantly associated with complete recovery of VLS signs and clearance of both symptoms and signs.

Conclusion

a relevant part of patients who undergo a 12-week topical treatment is not completely cured of VLS. It may be hypothesized that these patients, in spite of a significant improvement, may still have substantial residual disease and, as a result, its effect on their quality of life.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2ut5iMt