Association of Lichen Planus with Hepatitis B and C

Introduction: Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory mucocutaneous disease with unknown aetiology. Many studies have been reported regarding probable relationship between LP and liver diseases especially hepatitis B and C and they have a lot of different consequences. These studies evaluated the relationship between LP and hepatitis B and C in Hajdaee dermatology clinic in Kermanshah, from 2004 to2005.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study 57LPpatients (37 male, 20 female) have been documented pathologically and 57 selected healthy persons (36 male, 21 female) as a control group were screened for HBS antigen and HCV antibody by using ELISA method. The comparison of the results in these two groups were analysed by chi square test according to the distribution of age & sex.

Results: The mean age of LP patients and the control group were 43.7 and 43.88 years old respectively. HCV antibody was positive only in one case (1.7 %) of 57 LP patients and also one case (1.7 %) of the control group (p=1). HBS antigen was positive in 3 cases (5.3 %) of 57 LP patients and no one of the control group was positive accordingly (p =0.079).

Conclusion: Despite of some countries' observations such as Italy that show an association between LP and hepatitis in Kermanshah province, however, no significant associations were found between LP and hepatitis B and C. Therefore the routine tests such as HBS antigen and HCV antibody regarding hepatitis B & C for Kermanshah LP patients is not necessarily needed.