Sociodemographic Determinants and Clinical Manifestations of Vulval Dermatoses: Correlation with Quality of Life

Background: Vulval dermatoses encompass a spectrum of conditions ranging from asymptomatic presentations to chronic disorders causing significant impairment. The multifactorial nature of these conditions, combined with their visible anatomical location, creates challenges in diagnosis and management. These factors frequently result in substantial deterioration of patients' quality of life. The aim is to using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), this clinical study aimed to assess the quality of life of people with vulval dermatoses by analysing their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Material and Methods: All age groups of female volunteers who had vulval lesions were enlisted. Oro-genital and skin lesions, genital and skin lesions, or genital lesions alone were the categories into which cases were divided according to the affected areas. The DLQI questionnaire was used to measure quality of life impairment. Results: Among 260 participants, the largest cohort (33.8%, n=88) was aged 31-40 years. The majority were housewives (82.69%, n=215), nearly half were illiterate (49.61%, n=129), and the majority were married (91.92%, n=239). Pruritus was the predominant symptom (43.07%, n=112). Infectious conditions constituted the leading diagnosis (76.92%, n=200), followed by inflammatory disorders (15%, n=39) and immunobullous diseases (1.53%, n=4). DLQI scores were significantly elevated (p<0.05) among patients with combined oral, cutaneous, and genital involvement, with the highest mean DLQI observed in immunobullous cases.Conclusion: Patients exhibiting oral, cutaneous, and genital lesions demonstrated the most substantial negative impact on quality of life. Evaluating this impact is essential for effective management and potentially reducing disease duration.