A retrospective analysis of 32 women with erosive vulval lichen planus and an assessment of cervical cancer screening results

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features of erosive vulval lichen planus (LP) and their coexistence with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection via cervical HPV test results. METHODS: The clinical data and results of HPV tests in the medical records of 32 erosive vulval LP patients at Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Teaching and Research hospital from January 2017 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of vulval LP patients was 57.5+- 6.3 years. On examination, the sites of mucosal involvement in vulval LP were the vulva only (56%; 18 patients); vulva, vagina and oral cavity (18%; 6 patients); the vulva and vagina (12%; 4 patients); and vulva and oral cavity (12%; 4 patients). Two patients had only the HPV 16 genotype, one patient had the HPV 11 and 40 genotypes and one patient had the HPV 58 genotype. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Gynecological evaluation was required for all vulval LP patients. Although only four patients had positive HPV test results in our study, we emphasize that the treatment process of vulval LP may have an effect on HPV infection. Nevertheless, further community-based studies are needed.

Keywords

• cervical cancer screening
• human papilloma virus
• lichen planus
• vulval