Elevated Body Mass Index, Statin Use, and Cholecystectomy Are Associated With Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Retrospective, Case-Control Study

February 2023 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Yen K. Luu, An‐Lin Cheng, Colleen Reisz

vulvar lichen sclerosus elevated body mass index BMI cholecystectomy statin usage inflammation fibrosis metabolic dysregulation VLS high BMI gallbladder removal statins

TLDR Being overweight, having gallbladder removal surgery, and taking cholesterol-lowering drugs are linked to a higher chance of getting vulvar lichen sclerosus.

The retrospective case-control study examined comorbidities and medications among 77 women with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and 58 controls, finding associations between VLS and elevated body mass index (BMI > 25), prior cholecystectomy, and statin usage. The odds ratio (OR) for elevated BMI was 1.09 (P = .002), for cholecystectomy was 3.25 (P = .019), and for statin usage was 2.21 (P = .043). Women with VLS also took more prescription medications compared to controls (OR: 2.49 vs 1.76; P = .0078). The study suggests that increased adipose tissue, metabolic consequences of cholecystectomy, and the metabolic role of statins may contribute to VLS, potentially due to their roles in inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolic dysregulation.

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Elevated Body Mass Index, Statin Use, and Cholecystectomy Are Associated With Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Retrospective, Case-Control Study

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