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Impairment of myocardial functions and arterial stiffness in patients with lichen planus
Leyla Baykal Selcuk1, Mursel Sahin1, Deniz Aksu Arıca1
1Department of Dermatology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
Insights
Patients with lichen planus, especially erosive lichen planus, show increased arterial stiffness and impaired heart function. Long-term disease duration correlates with higher arterial stiffness, necessitating cardiovascular risk monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting skin and mucous membranes.
- Emerging evidence links lichen planus to a higher risk of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare arterial stiffness and cardiovascular hemodynamics in lichen planus patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between disease duration and arterial stiffness in lichen planus.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-five lichen planus patients and 42 healthy controls were recruited.
- Echocardiography and applanation tonometry were used to assess cardiac function and arterial stiffness.
Main Results:
- Arterial stiffness was significantly higher in patients with erosive lichen planus compared to controls and non-erosive patients.
- A moderate positive correlation was found between disease duration and arterial stiffness.
- Lichen planus patients exhibited impaired systolic and diastolic cardiac functions.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights potential cardiovascular risks associated with lichen planus, particularly erosive forms.
- Long-term disease duration and erosive lichen planus warrant closer cardiovascular monitoring.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm these findings.
Background:
Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease. Recent studies have suggested that it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess and compare arterial stiffness and cardiovascular hemodynamics in patients with lichen planus and a healthy control group.
Methods:
Fifty-five patients with lichen planus and 42 healthy controls were enrolled. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination, and arterial stiffness was measured using applanation tonometry.
Results:
No statistically significant difference was determined between the patient and control groups in terms of arterial stiffness, but stiffness was markedly higher in patients with erosive lichen planus compared to the control group and other patients (p=0.006, and p=0.023, respectively). Moderate positive correlation was determined between duration of disease and arterial stiffness. Impairment of systolic and diastolic functions was also determined in patients with lichen planus compared to the control group (p<0.001, and p=0.005, respectively).
Study Limitations:
Relatively low number of patients.
Conclusion:
The positive correlation observed between duration of disease and arterial stiffness in patients with lichen planus suggests that these patients should be followed-up in terms of cardiovascular risk in the presence of resistant and long-term disease, particularly in case of erosive lichen planus.
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