Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort

Vesna Harni; Damir Babic; Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic; Dubravko Barisic; Magdalena Karadza

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort

Vesna Harni^*

, Damir Babic

, Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic, Dubravko Barisic, Magdalena Karadza

Published in Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Volume 12, Issue 6)

Received: 20 September 2024 Accepted: 10 October 2024 Published: 12 November 2024

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Abstract

This study examines novel concepts of comorbidity in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort using data from the DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy) study, which involved 328 participants categorized into four groups: asymptomatic individuals with normal or impaired vulvar skin and patients with chronic vulvar discomfort, classified as either vulvodynia or vulvar dermatosis. Clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical software, including StatSoft (Dell, Austin, TX, USA), Statistica 12 (TIBCO®, Palo Alto, CA, USA), and SPSS 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Polyclinic Harni, and all participants provided written informed consent. The findings reveal significantly higher comorbidity rates in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort compared to other groups (p = 0.0000). A substantial percentage of asymptomatic participants with both normal (63.4%) and impaired (70.7%) vulvar skin also reported comorbid conditions. Analysis of comorbidity curves revealed distinct patterns of symptom progression, with a gradual increase in frequency from asymptomatic individuals to patients with vulvodynia, followed by a decline in vulvar dermatosis cases. These patterns highlight the central role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, where sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic depression contribute to separate comorbidity chains. These dysfunctions may act independently or concurrently, leading to various health issues. The elevated comorbidity rates and overlapping symptomatology suggest complex pathophysiology driven by ANS dysregulation. Further research on comorbidity clusters may unveil new therapeutic targets and guide the development of multifaceted treatment strategies.

Published in	Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Volume 12, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
Page(s)	118-131
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Chronic Vulvar Discomfort, Vulvodynia, Vulvar Dermatosis, Comorbidity, Comorbidity Network, Comorbidity Cluster, Comorbidity Chain, Autonomous Nervous System, ANS Dysfunction

References

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APA Style

Harni, V., Babic, D., Hadzavdic, S. L., Barisic, D., Karadza, M. (2024). Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort. Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 12(6), 118-131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

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ACS Style

Harni, V.; Babic, D.; Hadzavdic, S. L.; Barisic, D.; Karadza, M. Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort. J. Gynecol. Obstet. 2024, 12(6), 118-131. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

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AMA Style

Harni V, Babic D, Hadzavdic SL, Barisic D, Karadza M. Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort. J Gynecol Obstet. 2024;12(6):118-131. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11,
  author = {Vesna Harni and Damir Babic and Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic and Dubravko Barisic and Magdalena Karadza},
  title = {Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort
},
  journal = {Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics},
  volume = {12},
  number = {6},
  pages = {118-131},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jgo.20241206.11},
  abstract = {This study examines novel concepts of comorbidity in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort using data from the DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy) study, which involved 328 participants categorized into four groups: asymptomatic individuals with normal or impaired vulvar skin and patients with chronic vulvar discomfort, classified as either vulvodynia or vulvar dermatosis. Clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical software, including StatSoft (Dell, Austin, TX, USA), Statistica 12 (TIBCO®, Palo Alto, CA, USA), and SPSS 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Polyclinic Harni, and all participants provided written informed consent. The findings reveal significantly higher comorbidity rates in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort compared to other groups (p = 0.0000). A substantial percentage of asymptomatic participants with both normal (63.4%) and impaired (70.7%) vulvar skin also reported comorbid conditions. Analysis of comorbidity curves revealed distinct patterns of symptom progression, with a gradual increase in frequency from asymptomatic individuals to patients with vulvodynia, followed by a decline in vulvar dermatosis cases. These patterns highlight the central role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, where sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic depression contribute to separate comorbidity chains. These dysfunctions may act independently or concurrently, leading to various health issues. The elevated comorbidity rates and overlapping symptomatology suggest complex pathophysiology driven by ANS dysregulation. Further research on comorbidity clusters may unveil new therapeutic targets and guide the development of multifaceted treatment strategies.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort

AU  - Vesna Harni
AU  - Damir Babic
AU  - Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic
AU  - Dubravko Barisic
AU  - Magdalena Karadza
Y1  - 2024/11/12
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
T2  - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF  - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JO  - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
SP  - 118
EP  - 131
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7820
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
AB  - This study examines novel concepts of comorbidity in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort using data from the DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy) study, which involved 328 participants categorized into four groups: asymptomatic individuals with normal or impaired vulvar skin and patients with chronic vulvar discomfort, classified as either vulvodynia or vulvar dermatosis. Clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical software, including StatSoft (Dell, Austin, TX, USA), Statistica 12 (TIBCO®, Palo Alto, CA, USA), and SPSS 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Polyclinic Harni, and all participants provided written informed consent. The findings reveal significantly higher comorbidity rates in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort compared to other groups (p = 0.0000). A substantial percentage of asymptomatic participants with both normal (63.4%) and impaired (70.7%) vulvar skin also reported comorbid conditions. Analysis of comorbidity curves revealed distinct patterns of symptom progression, with a gradual increase in frequency from asymptomatic individuals to patients with vulvodynia, followed by a decline in vulvar dermatosis cases. These patterns highlight the central role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, where sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic depression contribute to separate comorbidity chains. These dysfunctions may act independently or concurrently, leading to various health issues. The elevated comorbidity rates and overlapping symptomatology suggest complex pathophysiology driven by ANS dysregulation. Further research on comorbidity clusters may unveil new therapeutic targets and guide the development of multifaceted treatment strategies.

VL  - 12
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Vesna Harni

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Polyclinic Harni, Zagreb, Croatia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3353-0967
Damir Babic

Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0007-8268-8644
Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic

Department of Dermatovenereology, University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

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Dubravko Barisic

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kardinal Schwarzenberg Klinikum GmbH, Schwarzach im Pongau, Austria

Contact Email
Magdalena Karadza

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

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APA Style

Harni, V., Babic, D., Hadzavdic, S. L., Barisic, D., Karadza, M. (2024). Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort. Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 12(6), 118-131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

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ACS Style

Harni, V.; Babic, D.; Hadzavdic, S. L.; Barisic, D.; Karadza, M. Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort. J. Gynecol. Obstet. 2024, 12(6), 118-131. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

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AMA Style

Harni V, Babic D, Hadzavdic SL, Barisic D, Karadza M. Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort. J Gynecol Obstet. 2024;12(6):118-131. doi: 10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11,
  author = {Vesna Harni and Damir Babic and Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic and Dubravko Barisic and Magdalena Karadza},
  title = {Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort
},
  journal = {Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics},
  volume = {12},
  number = {6},
  pages = {118-131},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jgo.20241206.11},
  abstract = {This study examines novel concepts of comorbidity in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort using data from the DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy) study, which involved 328 participants categorized into four groups: asymptomatic individuals with normal or impaired vulvar skin and patients with chronic vulvar discomfort, classified as either vulvodynia or vulvar dermatosis. Clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical software, including StatSoft (Dell, Austin, TX, USA), Statistica 12 (TIBCO®, Palo Alto, CA, USA), and SPSS 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Polyclinic Harni, and all participants provided written informed consent. The findings reveal significantly higher comorbidity rates in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort compared to other groups (p = 0.0000). A substantial percentage of asymptomatic participants with both normal (63.4%) and impaired (70.7%) vulvar skin also reported comorbid conditions. Analysis of comorbidity curves revealed distinct patterns of symptom progression, with a gradual increase in frequency from asymptomatic individuals to patients with vulvodynia, followed by a decline in vulvar dermatosis cases. These patterns highlight the central role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, where sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic depression contribute to separate comorbidity chains. These dysfunctions may act independently or concurrently, leading to various health issues. The elevated comorbidity rates and overlapping symptomatology suggest complex pathophysiology driven by ANS dysregulation. Further research on comorbidity clusters may unveil new therapeutic targets and guide the development of multifaceted treatment strategies.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Comorbidity Pattern and Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Vulvar Discomfort

AU  - Vesna Harni
AU  - Damir Babic
AU  - Suzana Ljubojevic Hadzavdic
AU  - Dubravko Barisic
AU  - Magdalena Karadza
Y1  - 2024/11/12
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
T2  - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF  - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JO  - Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
SP  - 118
EP  - 131
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7820
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jgo.20241206.11
AB  - This study examines novel concepts of comorbidity in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort using data from the DATRIV (Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Rings Vulvoscopy) study, which involved 328 participants categorized into four groups: asymptomatic individuals with normal or impaired vulvar skin and patients with chronic vulvar discomfort, classified as either vulvodynia or vulvar dermatosis. Clinical data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical software, including StatSoft (Dell, Austin, TX, USA), Statistica 12 (TIBCO®, Palo Alto, CA, USA), and SPSS 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Polyclinic Harni, and all participants provided written informed consent. The findings reveal significantly higher comorbidity rates in patients with chronic vulvar discomfort compared to other groups (p = 0.0000). A substantial percentage of asymptomatic participants with both normal (63.4%) and impaired (70.7%) vulvar skin also reported comorbid conditions. Analysis of comorbidity curves revealed distinct patterns of symptom progression, with a gradual increase in frequency from asymptomatic individuals to patients with vulvodynia, followed by a decline in vulvar dermatosis cases. These patterns highlight the central role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, where sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic depression contribute to separate comorbidity chains. These dysfunctions may act independently or concurrently, leading to various health issues. The elevated comorbidity rates and overlapping symptomatology suggest complex pathophysiology driven by ANS dysregulation. Further research on comorbidity clusters may unveil new therapeutic targets and guide the development of multifaceted treatment strategies.

VL  - 12
IS  - 6
ER  -

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