A study of lichen planus and its association with hepatitis C infection

AbstractObjectivesThe association of lichen planus with chronic hepatitis C virus (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. This study was conducted to determine the association of lichen planus with HCV in Iraqi patients in Basra governorate (southern Iraq).MethodsFrom January 2008 to October 2009, 97 cases of lichen planus, 47 women (48.5%) and 50 men (51.5%) were diagnosed on the basis of characteristic clinical features, and if necessary, typical histological findings on biopsy. The patients were screened for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by third generation ELISA. The control group (2070 person) consisted of healthy blood donors who were screened for HCV in the Central Blood Bank of Basra.ResultsAnti-HCV antibodies were detected in 3 (3.1%) cases. This was significantly higher in blood donors (p value = 0.002). A statistically significant association was demonstrated between lichen planus and hepatitis C virus infection. Liver function tests, plasma glucose and gender were not significantly different between HCV infected and non-infected patients.ConclusionsThe prevalence of HCV among Iraqi patients with lichen planus (3.1%) was significantly higher than in the control group (0.14%). It seems that there is an association between HCV and lichen planus among Iraqi patients in Basra city; however, liver function tests are not pivotal means in screening for HCV in lichen planus patients