Association of hepatitis C virus with various forms of lichen planus

Abstract

Background The association of lichen planus with hepatitis C (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. Objective This study was conducted to determine the frequency of hepatitis C in our patients with lichen planus. Methods During the year 2017, 105 cases of lichen planus, were diagnosed. Male to female ratio was 1:2.2. Mean age was 34.92±12.72. They were diagnosed on the basis of the usual clinical features and, if necessary, typical histological findings. The patients were screened for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by third generation ELISA and liver function tests. Results Hundred and five patients were studied. Male to female ratio was 1:2.2. Mean age was 34.92±2.72. Out of these, 33 were found to be HCV positive. Out of total oral LP seen ulcerative type was 10.4% and rest were whitish lace like pattern. Amongst cutaneous involvement cases, sub varieties seen were classical LP 16%, hypertrophic LP 5%, segmental LP 5%, flexural LP 3%, actinic 3%, annular 1%, while nail involvement, lichen planopilaris constituted 3% of the total cutaneous component. Genital mucosal involvement was 0.1%. Conclusion Our study showed that about one third of the study population had HCV positivity. An important negative finding was the uncommon varieties of cutaneous lichen planus seen in our study i.e.; Hypertrophic, segmental, flexural, actinic, annular were not found previously to be associated with HCV. HCV appears to have an etiologic role for lichen planus in our region.