Indiana University School of Medicine, 340 W. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Arch Sex Behav. 2022 Nov;51(8):3965-3979. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02353-0. Epub 2022 Jul 28.
Vulvar inflammatory dermatoses (VID; e.g., lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, vulvar dermatitis) can significantly impact sexual function. Both vulvar and non-vulvar inflammatory dermatoses (NVID; i.e., skin conditions not impacting vulvar skin, such as non-genital psoriasis and eczema/dermatitis) have yet to be fully characterized with regard to impact on genital self-image. A 20-min web-based survey was distributed September-November 2020 through social media ads, support groups, and online research recruitment services. Individuals in the USA over age 18 who were assigned female at birth and self-reported having been diagnosed with an inflammatory dermatosis were eligible. The primary outcome was the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS). Secondary outcomes included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Skindex-16 (a skin-related quality of life measure), the PROMIS Global-10 (assessing global physical/mental health), and sexual behavior histories. Participants (n = 348) reported mean age of 43.1 ± 15.5 (range = 19-81). Nearly one-third (n = 101; 29.0%) reported VID, 173 (50%) had NVID, and 74 (21%) experienced both vulvar and non-vulvar symptoms; they were analyzed as part of the VID group. The mean FGSIS score among participants with VID was 16.9 ± 4.1 and was significantly (p < .01) lower than that of participants with NVID (M = 21.2 ± 4.3), indicating lower genital self-image. Mental health (as measured by PROMIS-Global 10) was also impaired in VID. Rates of sexual dysfunction were high in both groups (> 60%). Findings suggest that in VID, lower genital self-image is correlated with poorer sexual function, quality of life, and global physical and mental health. Additional recommendations for VID management are proposed.
外阴炎症性皮肤病（VID；例如，硬化性苔藓、扁平苔藓、外阴皮炎）可显著影响性功能。外阴和非外阴炎症性皮肤病（NVID；即不影响外阴皮肤的皮肤状况，例如非生殖器银屑病和湿疹/皮炎）在对生殖器自我形象的影响方面尚未得到充分描述。一项 20 分钟的基于网络的调查于 2020 年 9 月至 11 月通过社交媒体广告、支持小组和在线研究招聘服务进行了分发。符合条件的参与者为美国年龄在 18 岁以上、出生时被指定为女性并自我报告患有炎症性皮肤病的个人。主要结果是女性生殖器自我形象量表（FGSIS）。次要结果包括女性性功能指数（FSFI）、Skindex-16（皮肤相关生活质量测量）、PROMIS 全球-10（评估整体身体/心理健康）和性行为史。参与者（n=348）报告的平均年龄为 43.1±15.5（范围=19-81）。近三分之一（n=101；29.0%）报告 VID，173 人（50%）患有 NVID，74 人（21%）同时患有外阴和非外阴症状；他们作为 VID 组的一部分进行了分析。VID 参与者的平均 FGSIS 得分为 16.9±4.1，明显（p<0.01）低于 NVID 参与者（M=21.2±4.3），表明生殖器自我形象较低。VID 患者的心理健康（通过 PROMIS-Global 10 测量）也受损。两个组的性功能障碍发生率都很高（>60%）。研究结果表明，在 VID 中，较低的生殖器自我形象与较差的性功能、生活质量以及整体身体和心理健康相关。还提出了针对 VID 管理的其他建议。
