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Clinical Practice Challenges in Lichen Sclerosus: A Review on 2023 EuroGuiDerm Guidelines

Gudula Kirtschig1*, Maria Kinberger2

The EuroGuiDerm guideline on Lichen Sclerosus (LS) was developed by 34 interdisciplinary experts from 16 countries, following the EuroGuiDerm Methods Manual v1.3 and was published in 2023. The guideline provides evidence-based and consensus-based guidance on diagnostics, treatment, patient education, follow-up, and interdisciplinary management among other aspects. This article briefly summarizes the most important recommendations of the guideline. In addition, particular attention is paid to the difficulties that arise in the care of LS patients in clinical practice. LS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects the anogenital site in both sexes and can occur at any age. Nonspecific symptoms, such as itching and pain, along with initial nonspecific clinical changes, often lead to a delayed diagnosis. As a result, patients often remain undiagnosed and untreated for a long time, which leads to irreversible damage such as scarring, atrophy and possibly cancer development.