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Morrel B, Ten Kate-Booij MJ, van Dijk C, Bramer WM, Burger CW, Pasmans SGMA, van der Avoort IAM. Outcome Measures in Adult Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Systematic Review. J Low Genit Tract Dis 2024:00128360-990000000-00119. [PMID: 38709568 DOI: 10.1097/lgt.0000000000000819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Core outcome domains (CODs) for treatment of adult vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) have recently been established through a Delphi study. A number of measuring tools are available for evaluating VLS. The aim of this study is to identify available standardized measurement tools for the major CODs for VLS that have recently been defined, namely, physical findings and quality of life (QoL) specific to VLS. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search through September 8, 2023, for measuring tools applicable to VLS regarding physical findings and QoL including sexual function or sexual well-being and self-image was performed. RESULTS Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review describing 26 tools covering the following 6 outcome domains: QoL-general health, QoL-lichen sclerosus specific, symptoms, clinical signs, emotional impact, and sexual functioning. CONCLUSIONS In current research, there is no uniformity in use of measurement tools for evaluating VLS. The established CODs to evaluate treatment of VLS are applicable for evaluating disease course as well. A comprehensive study to reach consensus regarding measurement of physical findings, QoL-lichen sclerosus specific, sexuality, and self-image taking the predetermined CODs and other factors such as age into account is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianne J Ten Kate-Booij
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte van Dijk
- Department of Dermatology, Sophia Children's Hospital-Center of Pediatric Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wichor M Bramer
- Medical Library, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Curt W Burger
- Research and Development Office (RDO), Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne G M A Pasmans
- Department of Dermatology, Sophia Children's Hospital-Center of Pediatric Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Trutnovsky G, Holter M, Gold D, Kopera D, Deban J, Misut D, Aust S, Tamussino K, Greimel E. Aesthetic Outcome and Psychosexual Distress After Treatment for Vulvar High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions. J Low Genit Tract Dis 2024; 28:48-53. [PMID: 37934148 DOI: 10.1097/lgt.0000000000000785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study compared aesthetic outcome, psychosexual distress, and treatment satisfaction between women receiving surgical treatment or medical treatment with imiquimod for vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is an extended analysis of the multicenter, randomized noninferiority trial "topical imiquimod versus surgery for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia." Patients were randomized to primary topical treatment or surgery and stratified by unifocal or multifocal disease. Digital photos of vulvar appearance were subsequently assessed for aesthetic outcome by 3 investigators blinded to group allocation. Psychosexual distress and treatment satisfaction were assessed with the Cervical Dysplasia Distress Questionnaire, the Sexual Activity Questionnaire, and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS One hundred ten patients aged between 19 and 82 years were enrolled. Per-protocol analysis showed complete clinical response in 80% (37/46) using imiquimod, compared with 79% (41/52) after one surgical intervention. Photodocumentation at baseline and 6-month follow-up was available for 84 of these patients (44 imiquimod, 40 surgery). Blinded reviewer assessments of lesion size and lesion severity showed improvement from baseline to follow-up, with no differences between treatment groups. Sexual pleasure, discomfort, and distress remained stable from baseline to follow-up in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Good aesthetic outcome of vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion treatment can be achieved with imiquimod and surgery, consisting of ablation or local excision. Treatment satisfaction and stable psychosexual health may not be dependent on chosen treatment modality, but rather on counseling in accordance with patients' preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerda Trutnovsky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Magdalena Holter
- Department of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniela Gold
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daisy Kopera
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Deban
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dina Misut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefanie Aust
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Tamussino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elfriede Greimel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Boero V, Liverani CA, Brambilla M, Monti E, Tozzi R, Murina F, Di Loreto E, Cipriani S, Libutti G, Cetera GE, Iorio M, Dell'Acqua A, Parazzini F. The "CIV Classification," a New Proposal for the Architectural Grading of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus. J Low Genit Tract Dis 2021; 25:291-295. [PMID: 34542084 DOI: 10.1097/lgt.0000000000000627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to prepare a reliable and easy-to-use architectural classification for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) aimed at defining the morphological patterns of this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS An expert panel composed by 7 physicians with expertise in clinical care of vulvar conditions outlined the architectural criteria for the definition of VLS severity (phimosis of the clitoris, involvement of the interlabial sulci, narrowing of the vulvar introitus), identifying 5 grades to build up a classification. Thirteen physicians with 2-30 years expertise in vulvar diseases (nonexpert group) were asked to evaluate 3-5 pictures from 137 patients. Each physician individually assigned a grade to each case, according to the previously mentioned criteria. Interrater reliability was analyzed by means of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The reliability concerning the 2 classifications of each rater was analyzed by means of κ statistic. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability in vivo was analyzed by means of κ index. RESULTS This study provides a new classification of VLS, based on defined anatomical criteria and graded into mutually exclusive progressive classes.The ICC analysis showed a substantial interrater reliability of the classification, ICC = 0.89 (0.87-0.91), both in the expert panel and in the nonexpert group (ICC = 0.92 and 0.87, respectively). An "almost perfect" intraobserver and interobserver reliability was achieved among physicians in vivo (κ = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS Our classification showed a high reliability. It is easy to use, and it can be applied in clinical practice and eventually, in the evaluation of regenerative and cosmetic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Boero
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Brambilla
- Plastic Surgery Service, Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Ermelinda Monti
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Tozzi
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health (WRH), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Filippo Murina
- Lower Genital Tract Disease Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ospedale Vittore Buzzi, Milano, Italy
| | - Eugenia Di Loreto
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Sonia Cipriani
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Giada Libutti
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia E Cetera
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Iorio
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Dell'Acqua
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
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Erni B, Navarini AA, Huang D, Schoetzau A, Kind A, Mueller SM. Proposition of a severity scale for lichen sclerosus: The "Clinical Lichen Sclerosus Score". Dermatol Ther 2021; 34:e14773. [PMID: 33426761 DOI: 10.1111/dth.14773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the anogenitalarea leading to itch, burning, sexual dysfunction and impaired quality of life. An unmet need in the context of LS is a practical, easily assessable grading scale to classify disease severity and to allow intra- and interindividual comparisons. The objectives of this study were i) to assess the prevalence and severity of 23 items proposed by a recent Delphi consensus group in patients with adult VLS. ii) to develop a clinical severity scale and, iii) to test the interrater reliability of this novel severity scale. A retrospective assessment of the prevalence and severity of 23 items in 143 patients was performed by using patient records and photo documentation to develop a novel clinical severity scale (i.e. the "Clinical Lichen Sclerosus Score" = CLISSCO) for VLS. Thereafter, the CLISSCO was validated by 16 raters. We found that the items proposed by the consensus group vary markedly in frequency and severity. Following selection of the most relevant items, the CLISSCO was developed consisting of 3 "Symptoms", 3 "Signs" and 6 "Architectural changes" rated on a 0-4 point Likert-scale. The intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent for each item, the applicability of the CLISSCO considered user-friendly by the raters. We conclude that the CLISSCO proved to be a user-friendly, reliable tool to assess disease severity in VLS. However, further studies are needed to validate its applicability and value in daily practice and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Erni
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Dorothy Huang
- Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Schoetzau
- Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andre Kind
- Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon M Mueller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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