Prevalence of hormonal and endocrine dysfunction in patients with lichen planopilaris (LPP): A retrospective data analysis of 168 patients

Abstract

Studies on the pathophysiology and comorbidities associated with lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of androgen excess in the postmenopausal LPP population, in relation to demographics and comorbidities. A retrospective data analysis of 413 patients with LPP, FFA, and LPP/FFA seen in the Department of Dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio between 2005 and 2015 was conducted. Of this cohort, 168 patients met the inclusion criteria. Androgen excess was identified in 31.5% (n=53) of the 168 patients with LPP and all subtypes (P<.001). Androgen deficiency was identified in 32.1% (n=17) of the 53 patients with FFA (P<.001). The androgen excess group was significantly more likely to present with hirsutism, seborrheic dermatitis, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cysts, or a combination of these (P<.001). This study was limited by being retrospective. Our study demonstrated that LPP is associated with androgen excess, and FFA is associated with androgen deficiency.