Korean J Dermatol.
2021 Aug;59(7):527-533.
Analysis of Vulvar Dermatoses Presenting as Vulvar Pruritus: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, Bundang CHA Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
Abstract
- Background
Vulvar pruritus is a common complaint among women presenting to dermatologists. However, few studies have analyzed the dermatologic conditions that cause it.
Objective
This retrospective study aims to evaluate the clinical features and causes of pruritic skin lesions of the female external genitalia.
Methods
This study included 161 female patients with vulvar pruritus between 2008 and 2018 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Data were collected by reviewing the electronic medical records retrospectively. The age, diagnosis, and histopathologic findings of the patients were reviewed.
Results
The patients’ mean age was 49 years. On physical examination, 71.4% of patients (n=115) had definite skin lesions, and 28.6% (n=46) had ‘vulvar pruritus without skin rash’. The most common diagnostic category, confirmed by skin biopsy, was inflammatory dermatoses (53.4%, n=86), including lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, lichen simplex chronicus, nonatopic eczema, atopic eczema, and psoriasis. Moreover, 7.5% of patients (n=12) were diagnosed with infectious diseases, including candidiasis, herpes simplex virus, syphilis, and scabies; 5.6% (n=9) were diagnosed with neoplastic diseases, including vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous cell carcinoma, extramammary Paget’s disease, and Bowen’s disease.
Conclusion
The causes of vulvar itch are vast, and often, multiple causes coexist simultaneously. Therefore, it requires a systemic approach to establish the correct diagnosis. Dermatologists should actively participate in the diagnosis and treatment.
