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Is there a role for platelet rich plasma injection in vulvar lichen sclerosus? A self-controlled pilot study

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Owing to the evidence that as many as 30–40% of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) fail to report a remission of symptoms with first-line corticosteroid treatment (TCS), especially as what regards dyspareunia, we aimed to analyze patients’ satisfaction following vulvar injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This is intended as an adjunctive treatment, to be used following TCS, and appears to promote tissue repair. It may also possibly have immunomodulatory proprieties.

Materials and methods

Patients with VLS were considered eligible for this pilot study if, despite having been treated with a 3-month TCS regimen, they reported a persistence of symptoms. PRP was produced in a referral center using a manual method and a standardized protocol. Each patient received three treatments 4 to 6 weeks apart.

Results

A total of 50 patients with a median age of 53 years [IQR 38–59 years] were included in the study. 6 months after the last injection of PRP all patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment (100%; 95% CI 93–100%). Median NRS scores for itching, burning, dyspareunia and dysuria were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) and FSFI, HADS and SF-12 questionnaires revealed a significant improvement in sexual function, psychological wellbeing and quality of life (p < 0.05). The number of patients reporting the need for maintenance TCS treatment was reduced by 42% (p < 0.001) and an improvement in vulvar elasticity and color was reported in all patients.

Conclusion

Following standard medical therapy, PRP may be effective not only in improving symptoms, but also in restoring function.

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Data availability

On request.

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Funding

This study was not founded.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Veronica Boero and Giulia Emily Cetera contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

    Veronica Boero, Carlotta Caia, Ermelinda Monti, Maria Iorio & Edgardo Somigliana

  2. Academic Center for Research on Adenomyosis and Endometriosis, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ GrandaOspedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

    Giulia Emily Cetera & Paolo Vercellini

  3. Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

    Stefania Villa, Tiziana Montemurro & Daniele Prati

  4. Plastic Surgery Service, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

    Massimiliano Brambilla

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  1. Veronica Boero
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Contributions

Veronica Boero & Giulia Emily Cetera: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing. Carlotta Caia: Formal analysis, Data curation, Writing—review & editing. Stefania Villa, Montemurro Tiziana: Conceptualization, Writing. Massimiliano Brambilla, Ermelinda Monti: Conceptualization, review. Maria Iorio: Data curation. Edgardo Somigliana: Methodology, review & editing. Paolo Vercellini: Methodology, review & editing, Daniele Prati: Conceptualization, review & editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniele Prati.

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Local ethical committee (protocol number 0032267, 6th October 2020, Comitato Etico Milano Area 2).

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Boero, V., Cetera, G.E., Caia, C. et al. Is there a role for platelet rich plasma injection in vulvar lichen sclerosus? A self-controlled pilot study. Arch Gynecol Obstet (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-024-07424-2

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