Lichen Planopilaris: Retrospective Study and Stepwise Therapeutic Approach

The study retrospectively analyzed 45 cases of lichen planopilaris (LPP) from 2004-2007 to assess therapeutic effectiveness. The majority of patients were white (93%) and female (69%), with an average age of 51 years. Initial treatments included doxycycline, with 27% showing improvement, and hydroxychloroquine, with 41% showing improvement. Mycophenolate mofetil was used after hydroxychloroquine failure, with a 30% improvement rate. The study found no significant differences between treatments and highlighted the need for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study to establish effective therapy. Limitations included its retrospective nature and lack of specific end points like percentage of scalp hair loss.