A study of genital pruritus in female patients attending the dermatology OPD at a tertiary care center in South Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: Genital pruritus is a common complaint among women, the cause of which could be multitude. Identification of these causes can lead to prompt resolution of pruritus with appropriate therapies. The objective of our study was to determine the clinical profile of genital pruritus and its impact on quality of life amongst all female patients attending Dermatology OPD at our tertiary care centre. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from June 2020-May 2021on 196 female patients attending the dermatology OPD with primary complaints of genital pruritus. Diagnosis was established by history and clinical examination and confirmed by bed side tests and laboratory investigations as and when required. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.87±15.24 years with 41.8% in the age group of 18-35 years. In majority (47.4%) of patients, itch was of moderate severity according to the Numerical rating scale. Infectious diseases (45.9%) were the most common cause followed by inflammatory (33.2%), idiopathic (19.4%) and hormonal (1.5%). Vulvovaginal candidiasis was by far the commonest (36.2%). The most common inflammatory dermatoses were lichen simplex chronicus (12.2%) followed by lichen sclerosus atrophicus (10.2%) and contact dermatitis (6.1%). 7 patients with idiopathic itch were diagnosed to have an underlying psychiatric illness. Conclusions: As genital pruritus has multiple causes, proper categorization and diagnostic evaluation would be appropriate to achieve optimal treatment to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from it.