Lichen planus is not associated with hepatitis C virus infection in patients from north west England

It has been suggested that infection with hepatitis C virus may be associated with the development of lichen planus and that geographical area may be an important factor affecting the relative risk. The present 2-centre, prospective, epidemiological study investigates this possible association in north west England. A total of 45 patients with classical and/or erosive mucous membrane lichen planus and 32 controls were tested for seropositivity to hepatitis C virus. None of the patients with lichen planus and only 1 of the control patients had serological evidence of infection with hepatitis C. Whilst there may be an important association between these 2 diseases in other countries, this study suggests that this does not appear to be the case in north west England and, furthermore, provides no evidence to advise routine investigation to exclude hepatitis C in patients with lichen planus in this region.