Background: The CO laser has been used to treat vulvar
lichen sclerosus (VLS) with a significant reduction in symptoms, and there is a
paucity data on the efficacy, sexual function, and quality of life (QOL)
improved. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of fractional CO laser
for VLS and assess sexual function and QOL from multi-centers. Methods:
The women with biopsy-proved VLS who were treated with CO fractional laser
were enrolled between January 2017 and December 2018 from three centers. The
visual analogue scale (VAS) was to assess clinical symptoms. The Female sexual
distress scale-revised (FSDS) was to evaluate the patients’ sexual activity, and
the family Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was to evaluate the QOL.
Results: A total of 119/122 patients (mean 44.5 years, 27–72 years)
completed the treatment with fractional CO laser and following-up. The
clinical symptoms and QOL were improved significantly from baseline to follow-up
(3 months and 12 months post-treatment) according to the following measures:
itching score, 7.65 (1.07, 0–10) versus 4.52 (1.23, 0–10) versus 0.96 (1.49,
0–4); burning score, 6.9 (1.66, 0–10) versus 3.82 (1.79, 0–8) versus 0.98
(1.42, 0–4); DLQL score, 14.24 (5.64, 0–30) versus 8.7 (1.9, 0–15) versus 5.7
(2.3, 0–10); FSDS score, 15.48 (11.3, 0–51) versus 12.51 (10.59, 0–45) versus
7.87 (9.34, 0–50). Conclusion: In conclusion, the fractional COlaser was effective and safe for treating VLS, which significantly ameliorated
the annoying symptoms and improved the quality of life.