Epidemiological study of Lichen Planus

Abstract

Lichen planus constitutes about 1% of the patients in dermatology OPD. Lichen planus is prevalent all over world with varying incidence. It affects all races and is concentrated in the age group between 30-70 years.
Childhood lichen planus is relatively rare with 2-3% of all lichen planus cases occurring below the age of 20 years. The incidence as well as clinical type of lichen planus changes according to geographical areas. The
objectives of this study are; To calculate incidence of lichen planus among patients attending skin OPD. To study age and sex distribution of lichen planus. To study distribution of lichen planus on different parts of
body. The study was conducted in the out patient department of Dermatology and Venereology at Image hospitals, Ameerpet, Hyderabad on patients with lichen planus. The duration of the study period was from
March 2007 to February 2008. A prospective study was conducted over a period of 1 year with all the new patients with a clinical diagnosis of lichen planus being included in the study.
1. Incidence of lichen planus in our study was 1.13% among the new patients attending skin OPD.
2. Lichen planus is mainly a disease of middle age with most of the cases in 20 to 39 years age group,
paediatric cases are seen rarely. Lichen planus appears to be slightly more common among females.
3. Lichen planus is pruritic in most of the cases but in few cases there may be no symptoms