DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i12.059

Pages: 5099-5108

Non-venereal genital dermatoses are common and may be confused with venereal diseases resulting in considerable anxiety and concern to the patients. Our aim was to determine the prevalence, clinical and epidemiological patterns of various non-venereal genital dermatoses involving the external genitalia including the perineal region. In the present study, we enrolled 100 consecutive patients after written informed consent, over a period of 6 months, presenting to the dermatology department with various non-venereal genital dermatoses. Venereal diseases, scabies, pelvic inflammatory diseases, diseases of internal organs like epididymis or testis, urethra, congenital and developmental abnormalities of the genitalia were excluded. The demographic characteristics, clinical findings and photographs of each patient were recorded and later analysed. The prevalence of non-venereal genital diseases observed was 5.5 per 1000 dermatology patients. Their ages ranged from 11 months to 69 years (mean age – 29.5 years) with majority belonging to the 3rd decade. The male to female ratio observed was 3:1. A total of 22 different non-venereal dermatoses were observed in the study. The most commonly observed non-venereal dermatoses were infections (18%) followed by vitiligo in 17%, scrotal dermatitis in 16 %, pearly penile papules in 11%, etc. Other dermatoses observed were lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, fixed drug eruption, herpes zoster, furuncle, fungal infections, etc. This study highlights the importance of diagnosing non-venereal dermatoses, which are not uncommon and refutes the general misconception that all genital diseases are sexually transmitted.