High frequency of genital involvement in lichen planus: a cross sectional study

Background: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that may involve mucocutaneous tissues. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of oral and genital lichen planus in men and women affected by skin lesions. Method: A total of 132 patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of lichen planus were evaluated for oral and genital involvement. All data was analyzed by SPSS version 19. Chi square test and t-test were used for statistical analysis. Result: Of 132 patients enrolled in this study, 72 were men and 60 were women. Genital and oral lichen planus were diagnosed in 59 (44.7%) and 26 (19.7%) patients, respectively. Genital lichen planus was observed in 43 men (59.7%) and 16 women (26.7%). Chi – square test showed a significant association between gender and genital involvement. Oral lesionswere detected in 17 (23.6%) male patients and 9 (15%) female patients but the association between gender and oral involvement was not statistically significant. Conclusion: High rate of oral and genital involvement in lichen planus in our study reveals the need for evaluating all mucosal surfaces in patients with lichen planus even if they are asymptomatic.