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Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on topical interventions for genital lichen sclerosus.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that occurs mainly in the anogenital area and causes itching and soreness. Progressive destructive scarring may result in burying of the clitoris in females and phimosis in males. Affected people have an increased risk of genital cancers.
OBJECTIVE:
We sought to assess the effects of topical interventions for genital LS.
METHODS:
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis using the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration.
RESULTS:
We included 7 randomized controlled trials with a total of 249 participants covering 6 treatments. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% was better than placebo in treating genital LS (participant-rated improvement/remission of symptoms: risk ratio 2.85 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.45-5.61]; investigator-rated global degree of improvement: standardized mean difference [SMD] 5.74 [95% CI 4.26-7.23]) as was mometasone furoate 0.05% (change in clinical grade of phimosis: SMD -1.04 [95% CI -1.77 to -0.31]). We found no evidence supporting the efficacy of topical androgens and progesterone. There were no differences between pimecrolimus and clobetasol propionate in relieving symptoms through change in pruritus (SMD -0.33 [95% CI -0.99 to 0.33]) and burning/pain (SMD 0.03 [95% CI -0.62 to 0.69]). However, pimecrolimus was less effective than clobetasol propionate in improving gross appearance (investigator-rated global degree of improvement: SMD -1.64 [95% CI -2.40 to -0.87]).
LIMITATIONS:
Most of the included studies were small.
CONCLUSIONS:
The current limited evidence supports the efficacy of clobetasol propionate, mometasone furoate, and pimecrolimus in treating genital LS. Further randomized controlled trials are needed.
AuthorsChing-Chi Chi, Gudula Kirtschig, Maha Baldo, Fiona Lewis, Shu-Hui Wang, Fenella Wojnarowska
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 67 Issue 2 Pg. 305-12 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
PMID22483994 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review, Systematic Review)
CopyrightCopyright © 2012 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
Topics
  • Administration, Topical
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage)
  • Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (drug therapy)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage)
  • Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus (drug therapy)
  • Male
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (drug therapy)

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