Serum Lipid Profile in Patients with Lichen Planus

Abstract

Background:  Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, mucous membrane, and adnexa. There have been reports of abnormal lipid parameters being increased in patients with LP. This study evaluated the serum lipid profile in patients with LP and the control group.  Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the department of Dermatology & Venereology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. Patients with LP were taken as cases and patients with skin diseases other than LP were taken as control. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by an enzymatic method.  Results: This study showed higher mean TC (187 vs 168, p-value 0.01), TG (147 vs 117, p-value 0.04), LDL-C (118 vs 105, p-value 0.04) in patients with LP than control. HDL-C level shows no significant differences (38 vs 40, p-value 0.50). Odds ratio (OR) for high TC, TG & LDL-C are 3.6 (95% CI: 1.26-10.56), 2.3 (95% CI: 0.87-6.31) & 4.0 (95% CI: 1.4-11.6) respectively whereas OR for low HDL-C is 0.74 (95% CI: 0.31-1.77). Regarding atherogenic index, LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio was significantly higher in LP patients (p-value 0.001 & 0.002 respectively).  Conclusion: Analysis of lipid parameters reveals significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride & LDL-C in LP patients. The atherogenic index is also significantly higher in LP patients which is a sensitive predictor of cardiovascular risk.