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Vol 94, No 12 (2023)
Research paper
Published online: 2023-07-03
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The impact of limited access of photodynamic therapy during COVID-19 pandemic on patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus

Magdalena A. Bizon12, Aleksandra Ostrowska32, Anna Wieczorek32, Wlodzimierz Sawicki2
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2023.0066
·
Pubmed: 37417382
·
Ginekol Pol 2023;94(12):959-966.
Affiliations
  1. LUX-MED Oncology Hospital, Warsaw, Poland
  2. Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
  3. Scientific Students’ Group of Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland

open access

Vol 94, No 12 (2023)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Gynecology
Published online: 2023-07-03

Abstract

Objectives: Stressful situations have an impact on progression of lichen sclerosus. The aim of the study was to investigate fears and complaints of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus and progression of disease at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Material and methods: The analysis was based on 103 women with mean age was 64.81 ± 11.36 years divided into two groups. The first one comprised of patients with stabilization of disease during the pandemic with mean age 66.02 ± 10.01 (32–87), while the second one with progression of vulvar symptoms with mean age 63.49 ± 12.66 (25–87).
Results: Delay of diagnosis was reported to be a problem for respectively 25.93% of women from both groups. Fear about COVID-19 was described respectively by 57.4% and 55.1%. Stabilization of disease was more frequent in patients after photodynamic therapy before pandemic. Progression of vulvar symptoms and features were observed more in patients who did not conduct PDT previously. All patients from the second group who underwent photodynamic therapy reported disappointment because of no access for continuation of treatment. On the other hand, 81.4% (43 women) regret that have no chance for trying photodynamic therapy.
Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy seems to be a method of treatment with longer survival without progression of lichen sclerosus in times of pandemics. There has been no investigation until now about concerns of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus. Better understanding of problems connected with the pandemic can help medical personnel in taking care of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus.

Abstract

Objectives: Stressful situations have an impact on progression of lichen sclerosus. The aim of the study was to investigate fears and complaints of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus and progression of disease at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Material and methods: The analysis was based on 103 women with mean age was 64.81 ± 11.36 years divided into two groups. The first one comprised of patients with stabilization of disease during the pandemic with mean age 66.02 ± 10.01 (32–87), while the second one with progression of vulvar symptoms with mean age 63.49 ± 12.66 (25–87).
Results: Delay of diagnosis was reported to be a problem for respectively 25.93% of women from both groups. Fear about COVID-19 was described respectively by 57.4% and 55.1%. Stabilization of disease was more frequent in patients after photodynamic therapy before pandemic. Progression of vulvar symptoms and features were observed more in patients who did not conduct PDT previously. All patients from the second group who underwent photodynamic therapy reported disappointment because of no access for continuation of treatment. On the other hand, 81.4% (43 women) regret that have no chance for trying photodynamic therapy.
Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy seems to be a method of treatment with longer survival without progression of lichen sclerosus in times of pandemics. There has been no investigation until now about concerns of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus. Better understanding of problems connected with the pandemic can help medical personnel in taking care of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus.

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Keywords

COVID-19; vulvar lichen sclerosus; fear; pandemics; photodynamic therapy

About this article
Title

The impact of limited access of photodynamic therapy during COVID-19 pandemic on patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 94, No 12 (2023)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

959-966

Published online

2023-07-03

Page views

531

Article views/downloads

321

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2023.0066

Pubmed

37417382

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2023;94(12):959-966.

Keywords

COVID-19
vulvar lichen sclerosus
fear
pandemics
photodynamic therapy

Authors

Magdalena A. Bizon
Aleksandra Ostrowska
Anna Wieczorek
Wlodzimierz Sawicki

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