Lichen Planopilaris Epidemiology: A Retrospective Study of 80 Cases
October 2015
in “
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
”
TLDR Lichen planopilaris mostly affects women with fair skin and can look different on each person, needing early treatment to prevent hair loss.
In a retrospective study of 80 cases of Lichen planopilaris (LPP), researchers found that the condition predominantly affected females (91.25%) with phototype II skin (66.25%). Classic LPP was the most common presentation (62.5%), followed by frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) at 31%, and a single case of Graham-Little Piccardi-Lassueur Syndrome (GLPLS). The study revealed a variety of lesion locations and emphasized the heterogeneity of LPP's clinical appearance, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis. Dermoscopic findings commonly included perifollicular hyperkeratosis and reduced follicle numbers. Various treatments were used, such as antimalarials, topical minoxidil, and corticosteroids. The study also noted that FFA might be underdiagnosed and highlighted the importance of early recognition and intervention to prevent progression of this cicatricial alopecia. However, the study acknowledged the limitation of potential inaccuracies due to reliance on medical records. Dermatoscopy and scalp biopsy were recommended as useful tools for evaluating LPP.