title: Lichen planus: a study of 72 cases in Singapore.
abstract: Seventy-two patients attending this hospital with a diagnosis of lichen planus were examined. There was a striking predominance of Indians (69%) and a surprisingly low incidence of Chinese (24%) and Malays (4%) in the study population, compared to the racial composition of the general clinic population. The age distribution curve of the study population was bimodal with peaks at age groups 21-30 (22%) and 41-60 (33%) years. The most common morphologic variant was lichen planus vulgaris (common type) which we observed in 46 (64%) patients, followed by lichen planus hypertrophicus in 8 (11%) and lichen planus atrophicus in 2 (3%). Lichen planus confined to the skin was observed in 49 (68%) patients. Mucous membrane involvement was seen in 21 (29%)-17 (24%) had oral mucosa membrane involvement and 4 (6%) genital mucous membrane involvement. In 16 (22%) cases, mucous membranes were exclusively involved--12 (17%) had oral mucous membrane involvement and 4 (6%) genital mucous membrane involvement. Nail changes were only observed in 2 (3%) patients. Eight (11%) patients had associated diabetes mellitus. Overall, lichen planus appeared to pursue a protracted course with only 4 (6%) patients clearing completely after a disease duration of 5-12 months.
authors.affiliation: Middle Road Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Vijayasingam
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yeoh
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D012846:Singapore