Impact of vulvar lichen sclerosus and lichen planus on quality of life, mobility, bicycling, physical activity, and health

Objective

To assess perceived quality of life, physical activity, and the impact of vulvar symptoms on daily function in women with lichen sclerosus or lichen planus.

Study design

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 603 women (mean age 59 ± 12 years) from one university medical centre, two regional hospitals, and two patient advocacy groups in the Netherlands. Participants completed three questionnaires: EQ-5D-5L for quality of life, SQUASH for physical activity, GO-Bicycling2 for bicycling experiences.

Main outcome measures

Quality of life and health index scores, reported bicycling difficulties, and adherence to national physical activity guidelines.

Results

Participants had significantly lower quality of life (0.814 ± 0.147 vs. 0.907 ± 0.112, p < 0.001) and health index scores (74.8 ± 16.4 vs. 81.1 ± 22.1, p < 0.001) compared with reference population values for similarly aged women. Nevertheless, 57.2 % met national physical activity guidelines, and 57.4 % reported exercising weekly, with fitness training being most common (40.2 %). Weekly bicycling was reported by 71.9 % of participants, yet 75.7 % experienced bicycling impediments attributed to their vulvar condition. Symptoms included moderate to severe irritation (54.5 %) or pain (47.0 %) of the vulvar skin, itching (26.6 %), or numbness (24.6 %).

Conclusions

Women with vulvar lichen sclerosus or lichen planus report lower quality of life and greater mobility challenges than their peers. Participants showed a high rate of compliance with national physical activity guidelines, and bicycling was an often-reported activity. However, bicycling was associated with high rates of pain and discomfort. Targeted solutions are needed to address mobility challenges in women with lichen sclerosus or lichen planus and support healthy aging and sustained physical activity across the life course.