Open study of topical 0.025% tretinoin in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus. One year of therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the use of topical tretinoin for treating vulvar lichen sclerosus.


METHODS
An open, uncontrolled clinical study on 22 patients affected by histologically confirmed vulvar lichen sclerosus. Topical 0.025% tretinoin was applied once a day, five days a week, for one year. Clinical and histologic parameters were evaluated before and after therapy, and statistical analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Symptoms, gross appearance and histopathologic features improved in a highly significant manner (P < .001). Cutaneous side effects were observed but rapidly disappeared, and no patient left the study for this reason. Maintenance of results was observed at the 4-13-month follow-up visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical tretinoin seems feasible for use in the topical treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus.
Virgili
A
A
Clinica Dermatologica, Università di Ferrara, Italy.
Corazza
M
M
Bianchi
A
A
Mollica
G
G
Califano
A
A
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014844:Vulva / Q000473:pathology; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin