The relationship between lichen planus and metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Objective Lichen planus (LP) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammatory diseases can cause metabolic complications. In the literature, data related to the relationship between lichen planus and metabolic syndrome (MS) are limited. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MS and lichen planus with disease activity. Methods The patients diagnosed with lichen planus at the dermatology outpatient clinic between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. 98 lichen planus cases, age‐ and sex‐matched 99 controls, 197 cases in total were included in the study. Results Of the 98 lichen planus cases included in the study, 60 (61%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 49.3 ± 14.4, and the average disease duration was 33.5 ± 31.4 months. 55 (55%) of the patients in the control group were female, and the mean age of the control group was 50 ± 13.2. The body mass index of LP cases was 29.5 ± 5.8, in the control group was 25.8 ± 3.7. Metabolic syndrome was found in 47 (48%) of 98 cases with lichen planus and 32.3% in the control group. MS in the lichen planus group was significantly higher than the control group (P = .025). Metabolic syndrome was detected in the oral lichen planus at the rate of 60% (12 cases). Although the incidence of MS was more common in the oral lichen planus, it was not statistically significant (P = .29). While no significant relationship was found between oral disease severity and metabolic syndrome (P = .19), a significant correlation was found between cutaneous disease severity and metabolic syndrome (P = .023). Discussion The risk of mucosal malignancy that can occur when following LP cases has been known for a long time. According to our results, caution should be taken in terms of metabolic complications in the follow‐up of LP cases, especially oral LP cases.

Relationship between acanthosis nigricans, acrochordon and metabolic syndrome in patients with lichen planus

“…In the literature, lichen planus has been associated with metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. 1,14,15 MS was found in 50.9% of patients with LP in our study, and it was statistically significant. In addition, AN and acrochordon were present LP patients with a percentage of 43.5% and 57.4%.…”

“…3 Again, in this context, the number of publications showing the relationship with MS in lichen planus patients has increased. 1,4 Acanthosis nigricans is a clinical finding described by asymptomatic plaques that are grayish-brown or black in color, raised from the skin, lichenified, velvety, and violase, with no sharp borders, located in intertriginous areas such as axilla, neck, and groin. 5 Hyperkeratosis and papillomatosis are prominent in histopathological examination.…”

Increased Level of Serum Wingless-Type Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Integration Site Family Member 5a in Patients with Cutaneous Lichen Planus

“…11,12 Besides, the risk of dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome is higher in CLP patients. 13,14 Based on the above research findings, we speculate that Wnt5a may increase in circulation of patients with CLP. The present study was planned to evaluate whether Wnt5a is altered in the serum of patients with CLP.…”

“…18 In addition to skin involvement, LP can have some complications, including type I and type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease. 13,14 Higher risk of dyslipidemia has been proved to be a common complication in patients with LP. 13,19 The Wnt5a pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases.…”

The Functional Mechanism of MicroRNA in Oral Lichen Planus

“…The relationship between OLP and MS should not be ignored. 18 The rate of malignant transformation of OLP is between 0% and 10%. A recent meta-analysis found that 1.1% of OLP lesions convert into OSCC, with a higher frequency among alcoholics, smokers, and people infected with hepatitis C. Invasive OLP appears to have the highest frequency of progression to OSCC.…”