The Relationship Between Lichen Planus and Carotid Intima Media Thickness

The study from 2016 examined the association between Lichen Planus (LP), a chronic inflammatory skin condition, and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. It involved 111 LP patients and 105 control subjects. The findings indicated that LP patients had a significantly higher mean CIMT (0.90±0.2 mm) compared to the control group (0.61±0.3 mm, p = 0.001), and CIMT was correlated with the duration of LP. Despite this association, LP was not an independent predictor of increased CIMT when other factors were considered. The study also noted a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia among LP patients, but lipid levels were not correlated with CIMT. Due to its small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up, the study called for further research to clarify the relationship between LP, disease severity, and atherosclerotic risk, highlighting the importance of early detection of atherosclerosis in LP patients.