A Study of Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Lichen Planus and Its Association with Systemic Diseases in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre, West Bengal

Introduction: It is a common disorder, comprising more than 0.5% of all dermatological visits. It may be familial in 1–2% of cases. The aim of this study is to find out the incidence of lichen planus in different age and sex groups, seasonal variation, occupation and familial association. And to correlate any association of lichen planus with systemic diseases. Methodology: An institution based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Dermatology (OPD) of Bankura Sammilani Medical College & Hospital, Bankura in Eastern India from March 2015 to February 2016. The study included 125 patients with typical feature of lichen planus of skin, nail, hair and mucous membrane. Results: In our study 79/145 (54.5%) were females and 66/145 (45.5%) were males with sex ratio of 0.8:1 (male: female). Most common age group was 20–40 years and type were classical lichen planus (64.8%) followed by oral LP (16.8%) cases, linear LP (1.6%) cases, actinic LP (2.4%) cases, lichen planus pigmentosus, annular & genital lichen planus was seen in 2.4%. Koebner’s phenomenon was seen in 50.4% cases.0.8% case had involvement of scalp hair, with scarring alopecia, diabetes mellitus was seen in 6.4% cases, 5.6% of cases to have hypothyroidism, the frequency of HCV in association with lichen planus was 9.6%. Out of total 5 vitiligo patients 4 (80%, n=5) were below 20 yrs of age and 1 (20%, n=5) patient in >60-year age group. Out of total 12 Hepatitis C patients 5 (41.6% n=12) were in 21 years to 40-year age group and out of total 125 patients 52 (41.6% n=125) patients are in 21 years to 40-year age group. In present study we didn’t find any case of palmoplantar LP, LP pemphigoides and zosteriform lichen planus that has been reported in other studies although LP pemphigoides is now consider as a variant of BP. Conclusion: Lichen planus, an autoimmune disorder has a frequent association with other autoimmune diseases. HCV, diabetes mellitus and alopecia areata are the most common entities while, vitiligo, chronic active hepatitis, myasthenia gravis and thyroid disorders are seen less frequently.