Compared to Controls, Individuals with Lichen Planopilaris Have More Depression, Lower Self-Esteem, and Lower Quality of Life

In a 2019 study involving 38 individuals with Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) and 58 healthy controls, it was found that those with LPP had significantly lower self-esteem, worse physical functioning, and mental health, as well as higher levels of depression compared to the controls. The severity of LPP and hair loss correlated with increased depression and a decreased quality of life. The study's regression analysis revealed that lower anxiety scores, higher self-esteem, and lower LPP disease activity were predictors of a better quality of life, while the duration of the illness was not a significant factor. The study concluded that LPP affects mental health and recommended that treatment for LPP should include psychological counseling, as psychological factors accounted for 66% of the variance in quality of life.