Comorbid Conditions in Lichen Planopilaris: A Retrospective Data Analysis of 334 Patients
September 2018
in “
International journal of women’s dermatology
”
TLDR People with Lichen planopilaris are more likely to have certain autoimmune and endocrine disorders but less likely to have conditions like allergies and diabetes.
In a retrospective data analysis of 334 patients with Lichen planopilaris (LPP) compared to 78 control patients with seborrheic dermatitis, the study found that LPP was more prevalent in females (93.1% vs. 79.5%) and was positively associated with autoimmune and endocrine disorders such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (6.3% vs. 0%), hypothyroidism (24.3% vs. 12.8%), and hirsutism (11.4% vs. 1.3%). Conversely, LPP was negatively associated with conditions like allergic rhinitis, type II diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, vitamin D deficiency, depression, and sleep problems. The study, conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation between 2000 and 2016, suggests that dermatologists should screen LPP patients for associated autoimmune disorders and conduct a full metabolic workup to identify any additional abnormalities. The findings highlight the need for a better understanding of the relationship between atopy, autoimmune and endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, psychological problems, and skin cancers in patients with scarring alopecia.