What does an Ointment Add to Usual Vulvar Diseasesandrsquo; Treatments?

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the impacts of an ointment on treatment efficacy, side effects and global tolerance of most common vulvar diseases. Methods: This observational study enrolled patients with Lichen Sclerosus (LS) and psoriasis who were still symptomatic despite maintenance therapy (topical steroids) the tested ointment was added to unchanged maintenance treatment. Patients with Condyloma Acuminata (CA), treated with liquid nitrogen and/or imiquimod applied tested ointment during healing phase. Patients suffering from vulvodynia used the ointment in addition to their multidisciplinary treatment. All patients were examined during 2 consecutive visits. subjective and objective clinical scores, tolerance, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and auto-evaluation questionnaires were evaluated at each visit. Results: Eighty-one patients completed the study: 26 LS, 6 psoriasis, 33 CA and 16 vulvodynia. There were significant reductions in global symptom and clinical scores for LS (-80.61% and -59.20% respectively, mean followup 66 days) and psoriasis (-82.88% and -82.80% respectively, mean follow-up of 51 days). For LS, a 75% decrease for symptom and clinical scores was reached by respectively 76.9% and 23% of patients. The DLQI decreased by 40.17% for LS and 76.92% for psoriasis. Use of ointment resulted in low post-treatment scores for CA (Symptom score (0-50):1.03, clinical score (0-24):1.85, mean follow-up of 21 days). For all diseases, auto-evaluation questionnaires answered ‘totally or rather agree’ to following questions: immediate comfort 79-88%, persistent comfort 75-100%, diminishes pruritus/burning sensations 75-100%, non-irritant 88-100%. Tolerance was good for all except two patients (one CA, one vulvodynia). Conclusion: Our results indicated the complementary effects of an ointment added to treatments for vulvar lichen sclerosus, psoriasis, condyloma acuminata and for vulvodynia. Ointment is a good complement to TS treatments in dermatology, and skin protection enhances healing after aggressive treatments. Ointment simple formulation contributes to the good tolerance on vulvar skin.