title: Vulvar lichen sclerosus: a comparison of the short-term topical application of clobetasol dipropionate 0.05% versus mometasone furoate 0.1%.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of the short-term application of clobetasol propionate 0.05% (CLB) and mometasone furoate 0.05% (MMF) in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a retrospective review of 96 women who were diagnosed with lichen sclerosus with a follow-up of at least 1 year. Of these 96 women, 47 were treated with the topical application of CLB and 49 were treated with the topical application of MMF. All patients received treatment for 8 weeks. The drug was administered once daily for 4 weeks and then twice weekly for another 4 weeks in combination with a moisturizing cream that was continued as maintenance therapy. Subsequently, a topical steroid was applied on an as-needed basis if symptoms recurred. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary endpoint was the clinical response of the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A mean of 77.3% of the patients were defined as responders at the 12-month observation, without any significant difference between the 2 treatment groups (CLB mean 73% vs MMF mean 81.6%, p = .2). A pronounced improvement in itching was observed after 3 months of treatment in the MMF group (p = .04), whereas the other symptoms were not significantly different between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that CLB 0.05% and MMF 0.1% in a short protocol regimen are effective, safe, and reliable treatments for VLS, with no significant difference between the 2 steroids in their efficacy. However, a moisturizing cream should be an integral part of the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Department of Vulvar Disease, V. Buzzi Hospital-ICP-University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murina
authors.forename: Subhia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Francesco
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mantegazza
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.forename: Vanda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bianco
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D007724:Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D002990:Clobetasol