title: Lichen planus: a clinical and epidemiological study.
abstract: Clinical and epidemiological data from 232 patients with lichen planus is presented. Lichen planus constituted 0.38% of the total dermatology, outpatients diagnosed. The patient ages ranged from 8 to 76 years, most being in the age range from 20 to 49 years. Duration of disease varied from 1 month to 7 years. Both sexes were equally affected. The majority of the patients (47.4%) had classical lesions followed by hypertrophic and actinic lichen planus next in frequency. Itching was the predominant symptom in 79.3%. Limbs were the most frequent initial site of onset (55.6%). Mucosal involvement along with cutaneous lesions were observed in 16.8% and genital involvement in only 5.2%. Nail changes were observed in 15.1% of patients. A history of recurrence of the disease was obtained from 10.3% of patients. Liver disease was found to be associated in 2.2% of patients. No malignant changes were observed in any of the lesions of lichen planus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution