Cardiovascular risk factors in patients of lichen planus

Abstract

Introduction: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder in which a delayed type of hypersensitivity immune reaction plays a major role in the pathogenesis. The disease and mainly affects skin, mucous membranes, nails and hair follicles. Objective: To study cardiovascular risk factors (metabolic syndrome and lipid profile) in patients of lichen planus. Material and methods: Fifty patients of lichen planus aged 18 years or above and fifty age- and sex-matched controls without any evidence of skin disorder including lichen planus were enrolled. Atherosclerotic risk factors were evaluated as per National Cholesterol Education Project Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII). Metabolic syndrome was defined as per the definition of the South Asian Modified criteria of NCEP-ATPIII11. Results: The mean total cholesterol was 179.2 ±29.74 and 164.74 ±22.18 mg/dl in lichen planus patients and controls, respectively, and the difference was found to be significant (p = 0.006). A significant difference between patients and controls was also found for low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.001). Although all atherosclerotic factors were elevated in patients compared to controls, the difference was statistically significant only for body mass index (p = 0.003989). Conclusions: The present study found a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia with a significant association between lichen planus and higher total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein lipids. Body mass index, blood pressure and blood glucose were also higher in patients with lichen planus.