Lack of evidence for hepatitis C virus infection in association with lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
The association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and lichen planus (LP) is a subject of controversy. Prevalence studies of HCV infection in LP patients in various countries reveal diverse results. The Slovenian population is rather homogenous with specific geographic and epidemiological characteristics. Lack of data or contradictory results from neighboring countries urged the need for a case-controlled study in our LP patients.


METHODS
The retrospective study was performed on 173 LP patients. Control group included 218 patients with dermatological diseases other than LP.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 2/173 patients (1.2%) with LP and in 0/218 controls. No statistically significant difference was found between the study and control group regarding anti-HCV antibody prevalence (P = 0.195; estimated OR 6.4, 95% CI 0.3-134.0) and risk factors for HCV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, anti-HCV antibody testing is not necessarily required in LP patients with no risk factors for HCV infection in this geographic region.
Stojanovic
Larisa
L
Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. larisa.stojanovic@mf.uni-lj.si
Lunder
Tomaz
T
Poljak
Mario
M
Mars
Tomaz
T
Mlakar
Bostjan
B
Maticic
Mojca
M
D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017524:Slovenia / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies