Victimization in patients with vulvar dysesthesia/vestibulodynia. Is there an increased prevalence?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of physical or sexual violence victimization among women referred to a specialty clinic for management of vulvar dysesthesia/vestibulodynia as compared to a healthy gynecology clinic population. STUDY DESIGN The subjects in this case-control study were women who had completed routine questionnaires prior to presentation to the University of Michigan Center for Vulvar Diseases. Study subjects were all given a diagnosis of vulvar dysesthesia/vestibulodynia. Women without complaints of vulvar pain presenting to a gynecology clinic were enrolled as controls. Information was obtained from the control subjects using a questionnaire similar to the history forms completed by the study group. RESULTS Comparisons were made between 242 patients with vulvar dysesthesia/vestibulodynia presenting to a specialty clinic and 113 controls. Cases were more likely to be Caucasian, to be married and to have a higher household income than controls but reported less drug or alcohol abuse and a lower frequency of sexual intercourse. After controlling for possible confounders, no relationship between sexual assault and the presence of vulvar dysesthesia/vestibulitis was found. CONCLUSION The prevalence of victimization was not higher in patients with vulvar dysesthesia/vestibulodynia as compared to the control population after controlling for potential confounding variables.