Lichen planus and chronic active hepatitis. A retrospective survey

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Immunodermatology
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Non-erosive lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory condition.
• The potential association between LP and liver diseases, particularly autoimmune hepatitis, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of liver test abnormalities in patients with non-erosive lichen planus.
• To explore the potential autoimmune link between lichen planus and chronic active hepatitis (CAH).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective survey of 95 in-patients with non-erosive lichen planus.
• Routine liver function tests were performed on 44 responding patients.
• Further investigations included autoantibody testing and liver biopsy for patients with abnormal liver tests.

Main Results:

• Remarkable abnormalities in liver tests were observed in 6 patients.
• Liver biopsy revealed chronic active hepatitis (CAH) in 5 of these patients (11.3% prevalence).
• Histological and immunological similarities suggest a shared autoimmune pathogenesis between LP and CAH.

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of CAH in LP patients suggests a non-fortuitous association.
• Lichen planus may be considered a significant risk factor for developing liver cirrhosis.
• Both LP and CAH may share a common autoimmune etiology.