Effect of combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy on the emotional state of patients with vulvar craurosis

Objective: studying of the effect of combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the emotional state of patients with vulvar kraurosis. Materials and methods: the study involved 90 women with vulvar kraurosis who were randomized into three groups of 30 participants. In the first group, treatment included photodynamic therapy (PDT) followed by administration of the antioxidant Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate for one month. Participants in the second group received only PDT. Patients of the third group underwent a course of laser therapy on the perineal region. The emotional state of the participants was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before and at the end of treatment, 1, 6 and 12 months after the end of therapy. Results: before treatment, participants from the three groups scored a similar number of HADS scores. In the course of observations, the best result on the scales of anxiety and depression was recorded in patients who received combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy. After a month of taking Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, the HADS score in these women was significantly lower than in the comparison groups. Further, these patients continued to show better scores on the depression scale. The total scores on the anxiety scale in this group were comparable to those in patients who received only PDT. Conclusion: combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy, including Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, has a more pronounced positive effect on the emotional background of patients with vulvar kraurosis in comparison with PDT and laser therapy.