Features of patients with vulvar dermatoses in dermatologic and gynecologic practice in Turkey: is there a need for an interdisciplinary approach?

AIM: Vulvar dermatoses are very common problems in women and they are associated with significant morbidity. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the features of patients with vulvar diseases in gynecology and dermatology out-patient clinics in Turkey, and to determine the need for a multidisciplinary vulvar clinic in this country.

METHODS: A total of 310 patients with vulvar problems as their primary complaints were included in the study. There were 144 women from a dermatology clinic and 166 women from a gynecology clinic. The following factors were recorded for all patients: physical examination findings, menarche age, age at first intercourse, education level, marital status, clinical diagnoses and associated gynecologic problems.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups when the mean age, menarche age and age at first intercourse were compared (P > 0.05). The number of unmarried women was statistically significantly higher in the dermatology group than in the gynecology group (P < 0.0001). The number of women who graduated from high school and university was also statistically significantly higher in the dermatology group than in the gynecology group (P < 0.01). The frequency of gynecologic problems was statistically significantly higher in the gynecology group than in the dermatology group (P < 0.001); however, dermatologic conditions were the most frequent diagnosis overall (33.54%). Forty patients in the gynecology group were referred to the dermatology clinic.

CONCLUSIONS: The approach to patients with vulvar disorders varies from country to country. However, multidisciplinary clinics seem to improve the understanding of vulvar diseases, to make correct diagnoses and to raise patients' quality of life. The need for a multidisciplinary vulvar clinic should not be ignored by the physicians in Turkey.