A Clinicopathological and Immunofluorescence Study of Lichen Planus
March 2010
TLDR Lichen planus commonly affects middle-aged adults, often involves limbs and mucosal areas, and can be linked to immune diseases.
This study on lichen planus, conducted with 90 patients, found an incidence rate of 0.16% among those attending the skin OPD. Most patients were in their 30s to 50s, with no gender preference. The classical type was most common, followed by hypertrophic and linear variants. Lesions typically began on the limbs, with frequent mucosal, genital, nail, and palmoplantar involvement. Histopathological examination of 50 patients showed a complete correlation with clinical types, and immunofluorescence revealed characteristic findings. Associations with immune-mediated diseases like diabetes and alopecia areata were noted, and a case of hypertrophic lichen planus developed into squamous cell carcinoma. An unusual presentation in a patient with albinism was also observed.