study of lichen planus and its association with hepatitis C infection

The association of lichen planus with chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] has been widely reported in the literature. However, there are wide geographical variations in the reported prevalence of HCV infection in patients with lichen planus. This study was conducted to determine the association of lichen planus with HCV in Iraqi patients in Basra governorate [southern Iraq]. From January 2008 to October 2009, 97 cases of lichen planus, 47 women [48.5%] and 50 men [51.5%] were diagnosed on the basis of characteristic clinical features, and if necessary, typical histological findings on biopsy. The patients were screened for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by third generation ELISA. The control group [2070 person] consisted of healthy blood donors who were screened for HCV in the Central Blood Bank of Basra. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 3 [3.1%] cases. This was significantly higher in blood donors [pvalue = 0.002]. A statistically significant association was demonstrated between lichen planus and hepatitis C virus infection. Liver function tests, plasma glucose and gender were not significantly different between HCV infected and non-infected patients. The prevalence of HCV among Iraqi patients with lichen planus [3.1%] was significantly higher than in the control group [0.14%]. It seems that there is an association between HCV and lichen planus among Iraqi patients in Basra city; however, liver function tests are not pivotal means in screening for HCV in lichen planus patients

Scarring and none scarring facial Acne vulgaris and the frequency of associated skin diseases

Acne vulgaris [AV] is chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit of young people. Patients with acne with or with out scarring might differ in regard to their immunological background from those free from acne. To evaluate the problem of facial AV especially patients with scarring and to determine the frequency of associated skin diseases and to be compared with acne free control. A cross sectional randomized controlled epidemiological study was conducted from Oct.2005-Oct 2006. Three hundred students from Basra University; 132 [44%] males and 168 [56%] females were enrolled, their ages ranged from 18-25 [20.9 +/- 1.8] years. They were divided into: Group A those free from acne [98 individuals], Growp B with non scarring facial AV [96 patients], and Group C with scarring facial AV [106 patients]. History and examination were done for their acne, scarring acne and associated skin diseases. Alien and Smith grading system for AV were used, and a new invented multiparametric scoring system for scarring acne was applied. AV was in 98[73.24%] males and 104 [61.9%] females. Scarring was 54 [50.95%] males and 52 [49.05%] females. Greasy skin was the most common type among Group B 67 [69.8%] versus 39 [39.8%] among Group A [P=0.000029] and was more common among Group C 84 [79.2%] [P=0.00000001]. Family history of AV was nearly similar in A and B Groups 55 [57.29%] and 56 [52.83%] respectively, while in Group A was 39 [39.79%]. Family history of scarring acne was in 35 [33.02%] of Group C, 16 [16.66%] of Group B, and 3 [3.1%] in Group A; [P=0.00000017]. The age of onset was similar in A and B Groups between 15-16 years. Majority of patients in Group B had non inflammatory type or mild inflammatory [papular] 65 [67.8%] patients, most of case were mild and moderate 86 [89.58%] patients, while high percent in Group C had inflammatory type 95 [89.62%], and more than half of them had severe and very severe types upon grading 56 [52.8%]. The aggravating factors were similar in A and B Groups with stress and hot weather being the leading aggravating factors. Squeezing and digging habit was in 53 [50%] in Group C versus 23 [23.95%] in Group B [P=0.00024]. In most cases of scarring acne, scarring was mild and moderate 85 [80.19%], and the most common type scars was the flat hyperpigmented [50 [47.17%] and 66 [62.26%] respectively].The most common effect of scarring acne on psyche was mild discomfort and mild dysmorphophobia 75 [70.75%]. Associated skin diseases were more common among Group A 31 [31. 63%] than among Group B 22 [22.91%] and least common among Group C 14 [13.20%] [P=0.0067] and they were mainly dermatitis and skin infections. AV might reflect the immunological status especially among patients with scarring. The frequency of skin diseases was much less among patients with scarring acne

Psoriasis. Modes of presentations among children in southern Iraq

To elucidate on the presentation of psoriasis among children in southern Iraq. This is an outpatient based, cross sectional clinical study, that was carried out in the Dermatology Department of Basra Teaching Hospital, Basra, Iraq, from April 2004 to June 2007, where a total of 104 psoriatic children were enrolled in the study. They were 59 females and 45 males, with a mean age of 6.8 years. Among 104 psoriatic children, the study showed that scalp 20.2%, guttate 17.3%, and flexural psoriasis involving the napkin area 14.4% or one or more of the body flexures, were the common modes of presentation reported in most cases. Many other atypical forms were also reported, and many aggravating factors were recognized. Psoriasis should be considered in any child with chronic recurrent skin lesion with poor response to treatment, particularly if it is atypical

Can deram be a cause of oral lichen planus?

To study the relationship between oral lichen planus [LP] and the habit of chewing deram. A clinically based controlled observational study including a total of 176 women who used to chew deram and 200 women who never used deram, who consulted the Dermatology Department of Basrah Teaching Hospital, and a private clinic, Barsah, Iraq during the period from February 2005 to July 2007. The study showed that the incidence of oral LP is greater among 176 deram chewers [23.3%] in comparison with 200 women who never use deram [1.5%], particularly among those with frequent [51.2%] and prolonged [65.8%] chewing of deram. Oral lesions, were mostly asymptomatic [80.5%] and predominantly of reticulate pattern [87.9%]. Avoidance of deram chewing induced marked or complete improvement of the oral lesions in 56.3% of cases even without treatment within a 3 month follow up period. Pathological examination showed features similar to classical LP. Deram chewing should be considered as a possible cause of oral LP, particularly among frequent and prolonged chewers