Association of Lichen Planus and Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSeveral dermatological manifestations of HCV infection have been described during the past 10 years, which include leukocytoclastic vasculitis, porphyria cutanea tarda, mixed cryoglobulinemia, lichen planus, etc. The association of HCV and LP depends mainly upon the prevalence of HCV infection.

Bidirectional Association between Lichen Planus and Hepatitis C—An Update Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The association remained significant when the analysis was restricted to studies where LP was clinical and biopsy diagnosed (OR 4.19; 95% CI, 3.19–5.50), and when the diagnosis of HCV was performed with antibodies (OR 4.17; 95% CI, 2.75–6.33), or by PCR and antibodies (OR 5.11; 95% CI, 3.94–6.64). In 12 studies, there was a higher number of positives for antibodies than PCR [ 34 , 37 , 38 , 54 , 63 , 67 , 70 , 72 , 81 , 89 , 100 , 105 ], compared with seven studies where there were no differences [ 55 , 57 , 92 , 98 , 99 , 106 ].…”

“…The authors of twenty-two studies from 84 have declared their support for the carrying out of antibody screening for hepatitis C [ 10 , 34 , 39 , 48 , 55 , 58 , 62 , 73 , 77 , 81 , 89 , 117 ], especially in the following situations: erosive LP [ 38 , 60 , 102 , 105 ] patients with different types of LP [ 29 ], risk factors for hepatitis infection [ 33 ], areas of high HCV prevalence [ 8 ], high-level liver enzymes [ 52 , 65 ] or to at least make the patient aware of the possible association between LP and HCV [ 96 ], while others do not [ 75 , 85 , 97 , 98 , 103 , 106 , 113 , 119 ]. Another opinion was that in patients with risk factors for chronic liver diseases or in patients with risk factors for hepatitis C, the chart should be taken with care [ 35 ].…”