title: Managing vulvar lichen sclerosus in U.K. genitourinary medicine clinics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey genitourinary physicians in the United Kingdom on their approaches to the management of vulvar lichen sclerosus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire survey of United Kingdom genitourinary consultants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-one percent of genitourinary physicians biopsy vulvar lichen sclerosus. For treatment, 78% of clinicians use a high-grade topical corticosteroid, such as 0.05% clobetasol propionate. Topical sex steroids are used by a minority of clinicians. Cases are followed by 80% of respondents. Having made the diagnosis of this condition, 30% of respondents refer the case to either a dermatologist or gynecologist for further management. Fifty-two percent refer only after treatment failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genitourinary physicians in the United Kingdom see and manage cases of vulvar lichen sclerosus in genitourinary medicine clinics. However, a majority of clinicians refer these cases at some stage. A coordinated and multispecialty approach between genitourinary physicians, dermatologists and gynecologists would provide coherent management of vulvar lichen sclerosus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford, U.K. rani.jarvis@btinternet.com
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Jarvis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yell
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Goorney
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006113:United Kingdom; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013739:Testosterone