(015) Quality of Life Impact of Vulvar Dermatoses: A Systematic Review of Recent Literature (2020–2025)

Abstract Introduction Vulvar dermatoses encompass a spectrum of inflammatory and infectious conditions that can cause chronic pain, pruritus, and sexual dysfunction, symptoms that profoundly affect physical, emotional, and sexual well-being. The intimate localization of symptoms often delays diagnosis, leading to prolonged discomfort, psychological distress, and strained intimate relationships. Because the vulva plays both dermatologic and sexual roles, these diseases uniquely impact women’s quality of life (QoL). Although awareness of vulvar conditions has grown, systematic data on their QoL impact remain limited. A PubMed search from 1978–2025 identified 164 publications addressing vulvar dermatoses and QoL, with nearly half (45%) published between 2020 and 2025, reflecting a surge of research interest. This growth underscores a critical need to consolidate emerging data and quantify how these diseases affect women’s lives and sexual function. Objective To systematically review studies published from 2020–2025 that assessed the impact of vulvar dermatoses on patient quality of life using validated instruments, and to synthesize findings to guide future research and clinical care. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms “vulvar dermatoses” and “quality of life.” The search was restricted to studies published between January 2020 and March 2025 to capture recent, clinically relevant data. Eligible studies included patients with any diagnosed vulvar dermatosis and reported quantitative QoL outcomes using validated instruments such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) or Skindex-16. Articles were excluded if they lacked QoL data, focused solely on therapeutic interventions without baseline assessment, or were narrative reviews, commentaries, or single case reports. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, followed by full-text review to ensure eligibility. Extracted variables included study design, sample size, country, condition studied, QoL tool used, and reported scores. For studies using the DLQI, a weighted average of median scores was calculated to estimate overall burden. QoL impact was categorized using standard DLQI severity bands: 0–1 (no effect), 2–5 (small), 6–10 (moderate), 11–20 (very large), and 21–30 (extremely large). Results Of the 74 articles identified, 10 met inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 18 to 620 participants, representing diverse populations from Australia, the United States, China, India, and Norway. Conditions studied included lichen planus, lichen sclerosus, psoriasis, chronic candidiasis, nonspecific dermatitis, and infectious etiologies. Nine studies used the DLQI, and one employed the Skindex-16. Seventy percent of studies reported severe QoL impairment, and 30% reported moderate impairment. Across DLQI studies, the weighted median score was 13.17, corresponding to a “very large effect” on QoL. Domains most affected included itching, burning, sexual discomfort, and emotional distress. Conclusions Vulvar dermatoses impose a profound and under-recognized burden on quality of life, often reaching the “very large effect” range. These findings highlight the importance of integrating QoL assessments into clinical evaluation and management. Routine use of validated tools such as the DLQI may facilitate early identification of psychosocial distress, optimize treatment decisions, and enhance patient-centered care. Future research should focus on controlled, longitudinal studies and the development of disease-specific QoL instruments that incorporate sexual health dimensions unique to vulvar disorders, thereby advancing holistic management and improving outcomes for affected women. Disclosure No.