Lichen sclerosus of the vulva - Long-term steroid maintenance therapy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of graduated topical steroids for long-te rm maintenance therapy for vulvar lichen sclerosus. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study was performed in the Gynaec ological Oncology Department, City Hospital, Birmingham, U.K. Fifty-four pa tients were recruited for the study. The diagnosis was confirmed with histo pathologic examination. After confirmation of the diagnosis, patients were started on a diminishing regimen of topical steroid. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients in the study, 51 responded to the steroid regim en, and three did not. CONCLUSION: The graduated topical steroid regimen has a high response rate and takes a relatively short time to achieve, justifying the use of graduat ed topical steroids for this condition. Graduated dose reduction allows the majority of patients to remain in asymptomatic remission and minimize ster oid exposure.