title: A retrospective study of relevant diagnostic procedures in vulvodynia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify objective clinical signs of vulvodynia and determine specific diagnostic tests for vulvodynia in women referred to a vulvar outpatient clinic for vulval complaints.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed of the medical records of 201 consecutive Danish patients suspected of suffering from vulvodynia who were referred to a vulvar outpatient clinic (Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital) between October 2003 and January 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 201 women, 117 were diagnosed with vulvodynia and 84 had other diagnoses. Of the women diagnosed with vulvodynia in the vulvar clinic, 88.9% were correctly diagnosed before referral. The women with vulvodynia were more likely to report dyspareunia (chi2 = 7.89, p = 0.005) and stinging pain (chi2 = 3.74, p = 0.05). The nonvulvodynia group was more likely to report a tendency toward fissures (chi2 = 5.94, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported dyspareunia and stinging pain are strongly associated with vulvodynia. Self-reported pruritus and a tendency toward fissures are not likely to be associated with vulvodynia. Whether vulvar biopsies should be performed regularly when redness and pain is present must be explored further in prospective studies.
authors.affiliation: Sexological Clinic, Psychiatric Center, and Department of Gynecology, Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. cdamsted@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Christina Damsted
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Ellids
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Lene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lundvall
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giraldi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010146:Pain; D011539:Pruritus Vulvae / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis