The prevalence of self-reported medical comorbidities in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus: A single-center retrospective study

Objective To compare the demographics and self-reported medical comorbidities of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) with those of women with other vulvar conditions. Methods Intake questionnaires for patients presenting to the University of Michigan Center for Vulvar Diseases between 1996 and 2019 were entered into a de-identified database (n = 1983). Responses to questions about thyroid disease, urinary symptoms and signs, gastrointestinal conditions, and pain conditions were collected. Results A total of 1983 women, including 865 patients with VLS and 1118 patients without VLS were enrolled. Pearson's chi(2) analysis showed that age, hypertension, anorectal fissures, peptic ulcer disease/gastroesophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, fibromyalgia, thyroid disease, kidney problems, liver problems, and cancer were significantly associated with VLS when compared between the VLS and non-VLS groups (P < 0.01). However, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that only age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were strongly associated with VLS (P < 0.01). Conclusion Increasing age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were significantly associated with VLS. The association between anorectal fissures and VLS likely represents a sequela of the disease rather than a true comorbidity.