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Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients attended in a vulvar clinic of the dermatology outpatient unit of a tertiary hospital during a 4‐year period
Author(s) -
Goncalves Daniel Luiz M.,
Romero Raissa L.,
Ferreira Paula L.,
Santi Cláudia G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.14442
Subject(s) - medicine , lichen sclerosus , outpatient clinic , dermatology , context (archaeology) , observational study , epidemiology , retrospective cohort study , medical record , family medicine , surgery , paleontology , biology
Background Vulvar complaints are among the most frequent causes for a woman to visit a healthcare provider. The diseases of this area of the body may be a challenge to diagnose. In this study, we assess epidemiologic and clinical data of patients in an outpatient vulvar clinic in the dermatology department of a tertiary hospital. Methods We performed an observational retrospective study of patients who attended our consultation service for vulvar diseases at the Dermatology Division at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP during a 4‐year period. Data were obtained by patient medical records and by phone. Results During the 4‐year period under study, a total of 136 patients were treated in the outpatient service specialized in vulvar care. All patients were included in the study. The most frequent diagnoses were lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (64.7%), lichen planus (8.8%), and vitiligo (8%). We registered that 26.7% of the patients showed extravulvar involvement. Conclusions Women with vulvar diseases need specific care, considering not only genital aspects but also all skin changes. In this context, the dermatologist is a very well trained professional to take good and complete care of these patients. However, ideally vulvar clinics should have a multidisciplinary team.