No evidence for association between cutaneous lichen planus and hepatitis B and C virus infection in south Poland - a case-control study.

Abstract

The incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with lichen planus (LP) varies considerably. Currently, there is more evidence for the association between hepatitic C and oral LP (OLP) than cutaneous LP (CLP). There is also lack of data on the Polish population. The study aimed at assessing the prevalence of HCV infection and liver test abnormalities among patients with CLP in south Poland. Eighty-four patients with CLP and 130 patients with other dermatoses (controls) were included in this retrospective case-control study. Medical records were reviewed for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and serum levels of liver function tests: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glumatyltranspeptidase (GGT). Anti-HCV antibodies were not found in any of the patients in the study or control group. HBsAg was detected in one (1.19%) patient with CLP and none of the controls. Considering the prevalence of abnormal liver function parameters, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of AST (P=0.87), ALT (P=0.9), and GGT (P=0.81) above the upper limit between patients with CLP and patients with other dermatoses. Currently, there is no evidence confirming the relationship between HCV infection and CLP in southern Poland. There is also no increased incidence of liver function abnormalities compared to patients with other dermatoses. However, there is a need for further research on larger groups of patients.