Profile of Nonvenereal Female Genital Dermatoses: A Cross-Sectional Study From Eastern India.

Abstract

Nonvenereal genital dermatoses may be a reason for considerable concern to the patient and often pose diagnostic dilemma to the treating physicians. The objective of the present study was to find out the demographical and clinical profile of nonvenereal genital dermatoses including systemic comorbidities in a tertiary care hospital. This was an observational study, carried out at the outpatient department of dermatology of a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India over a period of 12 months. Female patients with genital lesions were included in the study after excluding venereal disease. Results were tabulated and analyzed. A total of 189 female patients were evaluated having 39 different dermatoses. The age ranged from 2 months to 72 years with most patients belonged to the fourth decade and 70.4% patients were from reproductive age group. Most of the patients were literate (81%) and hailing from rural areas. Most of them were homemakers and belonged to lower socioeconomic status (42.3%). Itching (77.3%) was the most common presenting complaint followed by burning sensation (9.5%). Common dermatoses encountered were vulval candidiasis (40.7%), lichen sclerosus (15.3%), tinea cruris (13.8%), lichen planus (4.2%), vitiligo (3.2%), irritant contact dermatitis (2.6%), psoriasis (2.6%), lichen simplex chronicus (2.1%), among others. Most common associated comorbidity was diabetes mellitus. This study provides important data on the spectrum of vulvar diseases in Eastern Indian patients and emphasizes the importance of proper and timely diagnosing nonvenereal vulvar dermatoses.