ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the magnitude of male genital ulcer [MGU] and its clinico-demographic profile in patients attending dermatology OPD and STI clinic of a tertiary care hospital in the eastern part of India
Methods: The study was institution-based cross-sectional descriptive study conducted over a period of one year. All the male patients presenting to Dermatology OPD and STI clinic with complaints of genital lesions were screened for genital ulcer/s. Those having genital ulcer and giving consent for participating in the study were included in the study. At the end of study period, data were analyzed
Results: 110 patients with MGU among 22,528 male patients attending Dermatology OPD and STI clinic were included in study and relative prevalence rate was calculated as 4.88 per 1000. Non-sexually transmitted ulcers [non-STU] [65.5%] were leading cause of MGU. Among sexually transmitted ulcers [STU], genital herpes was the most common disease. Dermatitis-related ulcer, scabies related ulcer, and Zoon's balanitis [plasma cell balanitis] were most common non-STU. Positive history of sexual exposure was found in around 53.2%, 97.4% and 22.2% of MGU, STU and non-STU, respectively. Commercial sex workers were the major sex partner in both STU and non-STU groups
Conclusion: Non-sexually transmitted ulcers were more common than sexually transmitted ulcers. History of sexual exposure was seen in both STU, and non-STU. Hence, history of sexual exposure should not bias clinician towards making a diagnosis of STU