title: Chronic vulvovaginitis in women older than 50 years:  analysis of a prospective database.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine differences in symptoms and diagnoses between women 50 years and younger and women older than 50 years who have chronic vulvovaginal complaints.
  
  
  METHODS
  New patients of the Drexel University Vaginitis Center with chronic vulvovaginal complaints were eligible. Participants underwent a standardized medical evaluation and completed detailed questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the t test, χ test, and the Fisher exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects were 469 women aged 18 to 79 years. Subjects 50 years and younger (group A) were more likely to complain of vaginal itching and were less likely to complain of burning, irritation, or soreness (p ≤ .05 for all). Subjects older than 50 years (group B) were more likely to be diagnosed with atrophic vaginitis (p = .000), desquamative inflammatory vaginitis (DIV; p = .001), lichen planus (LP; p = .000), and lichen sclerosus (p = .000). Diagnosis of LS, LP, or DIV was associated with increased likelihood of multiparity and decreased likelihood of a history of systemic estrogen use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postmenopausal women are more likely than premenopausal women to be diagnosed with DIV, LP, or LS. Both childbirth and estrogen nonuse were associated with the occurrence of these latter 3 conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia PA, USA. Paul.Nyirjesy@drexelmed.edu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nyirjesy
authors.forename: Randi D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.forename: Leny
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Ahinoam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lev-Sagie
authors.forename: Jennifer F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Culhane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult