Comparison of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy and clobetasol propionate in treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALAPDT) for the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and compare its effectiveness with that of clobetasol propionate. Four sessions of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) were administered at 2-week intervals (n=20). Clobetasol propionate (0.05%) was used daily for 8 weeks (n=20). The rate of complete response in the PDT group (14/20) was double that of the clobetasol propionate group (7/20) (p<0.05, χ2=4.912). Horizontal visual analogue scores indicated that PDT was more effective than clobetasol propionate. Pain intensity numeric rating scale values for PDT were between 3.05 and 4.45. One month after the final session of PDT, only one patient relapsed and all 7 patients in clobetasol propionate group relapsed. ALA-PDT is a well-tolerated and effective option for the treatment of VLS.