The challenges to diagnosing vulval lichen sclerosus and how to get it right

Today, we’re speaking to Dr Louise Clarke, a GP and researcher based at the University of Nottingham.

Title of paper: Barriers to diagnosing and treating vulval lichen sclerosus: a survey study

Available at: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2024.0360

Previous research has identified a significant diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis of vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS), a condition most commonly presenting to primary care. Health care professionals (HCPs) in primary care share the concerns of women with VLS citing frequent misdiagnosis, embarrassment and lack of knowledge as barriers to diagnosis. In this survey, 92.6% of HCPs felt further education would be useful with 37.7% never having participated in learning on vulval skin disease, self-directed or otherwise. Key enablers identified to facilitate timely VLS diagnosis and treatment include: a comprehensive education programme for HCPs, implementation of standardised pathways of care and development of a VLS diagnostic criteria to be implemented in primary care workflow.