Lichen sclerosus among women in the United States

Abstract

Background: Vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic dermatosis for which the true prevalence is not well established. LS remains an underrecognized and undertreated disease, and treatment patterns and differences among various specialties that care for patients with LS are largely unknown. Objective: This study sought to determine the prevalence of diagnosed vulvar LS, demographic characteristics, and diagnostic and treatment patterns in the United States. Methods: A database comprising >21.7 million women with commercial insurance in the United States was analyzed, and the largest cohort of patients with LS in the United States to date was identified. Results: We found that obstetricians/gynecologists are diagnosing and managing approximately half of women with LS, and regardless of specialty, the majority of providers are appropriately prescribing high-potency topical steroids. Conclusion: Our results suggest that LS may truly be underrecognized and underdiagnosed, especially in younger women.

Keywords

• Lichen sclerosus
• Vulvar lichen sclerosus
• Prevalence
• Treatment