“A STUDY OF PATTERN OF NON-VENEREAL GENITAL DERMATOSES IN PATIENTS ATTENDING SKIN OPD AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTER

Background: Non-venereal dermatoses tend to create confusion from venereal dermatoses. This is responsible for anxiety and considerable concern in the patients. Now the incidence of venereal diseases has declined so sharply that the non-venereal diseases affecting genitalia have assumed greater importance in dermatologic practice. Aim: To determine the clinical pattern and relative frequency of non-venereal dermatoses of external genitalia in sexually active patients. Methodology: This study was conducted in a tertiary care centre. Sexually active patients who presented with genital lesions, after excluding venereal diseases were recruited. A detailed history was taken and dermatological examination done for all the cases. Results: A total of 201 patients with non-venereal genital dermatoses were included in our study. Males 135(67.2%) outnumbered females 66(32.8%). The majority of the patients 105 (52.2%) were from the age group of 15 to 30 years. In males the most common non venereal dermatosis was vitiligo 25(18.5%) followed by scabies 17(12.6%) while in females it was vitiligo 18 (27.3%) followed by lichen sclerosis 12 (18.2%). Conclusion: This study emphasizes that non-venereal genital dermatoses are not uncommon and the need for health education and counselling regarding the same is essential.