Does Lichen Planus Cause Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Impaired Endothelial Function?

Lichen planus (LP) has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, but there are no studies on the association between LP and subclinical atherosclerosis. We investigated the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with LP not known to have CVD using carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).

The study included 30 patients with LP and 30 controls. High-resolution ultrasonography was used to assess CIMT and FMD. Participants' biochemical parameters, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were recorded in both groups.

FMD was significantly lower (7.45% ± 3.63% vs 11.01% ± 5.34%; P = 0.004) and CIMT was higher (0.8 mm [range, 0.7-0.9 mm] vs 0.6 mm [0.4-0.6 mm]; P < 0.001) in the LP group compared with the control group. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and C-reactive protein levels, the presence of LP was associated with impairment of FMD (β = -0.441; 95% CI, -9.336 to -0.321; P = 0.037) and an increase in CIMT (β = 0.459; 95% CI, 0.057 to -0.351; P = 0.008).

Reduced FMD and increased CIMT levels are sensitive indicators of target-organ damage and display increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Our study found that patients with LP showed a tendency toward impaired levels of FMD and increased CIMT. LP may be a novel predictor of early vascular dysfunction and structural changes.