Frequency of lichen planus in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

ABSTRACT

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology. Its association with liver diseases, particularly hepatitis C virus [HCV], has been widely approached since 1990 when serology for detection of HCV became available. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of lichen planus in patients infected with HCV attending the viral hepatitis clinic at Aljamahiriya hospital, Benghazi. Two hundred patients of hepatitis C infection and 100 individuals, served as a control group, were enrolled in this study and were assessed for the presence of Lichen planus. In addition the route of HCV transmission, viral genotype and duration of HCV infection were also assessed. Out of two hundred patients, 104 were females and 96 were males, with age range 15-80 years. One case of oral Lichen planus [0.5%] and one case of cutaneous Lichen planus [0.5%] were found compared to two cases [2%] and one case [1%] of cutaneous and oral Lichen planus found in the control group, respectively [p > 0.05]. The diagnosis of Lichen planus was confirmed with histopathology findings in all cases. The findings of the present study indicate that there is no association between oral and cutaneous Lichen planus and hepatitis C infection. Further studies are needed in a larger number of patients to determine the association betueen HCV virus infected patients and Lichen planus