Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and lichen planus in patients referred to dermatology clinic of Ardabil Hospital

ABSTRACT

To assess the association between lichen planus and Helicobacter pylori. In this analytical, case-control study, 60 patients with lichen planus [confirmed by histopathology] and 60 age- and sex-matched volunteer blood donors were selected. Tests for H. pylori IgA and IgG antibodies were performed by ELISA. The mean age of patients was 36.3 +/- 12.6 years. Of 60 patients with lichen planus, H. pylori IgA antibodies were positive in 46 [76.6%] patients and in 18 [30%] controls [p=0.001]. Similarly, H. pylori IgG antibodies were positive in 55 [91.7%] patients of lichen planus and in 44 [73.3%] controls [p=0.007]. These findings suggest that H. pylori may be implicated in the etiology of the lichen planus