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. 2025 Feb 16;17(2):e79081.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.79081. eCollection 2025 Feb.

Comparative Analysis of Sociodemographic, Clinical Features, Laboratory Findings, and Treatment Protocols in Generalized and Localized Cutaneous Lichen Planus

Mustafa Urun  1 , Gizem Karapinar  1 , Yildiz Gursel Urun  1 , Sezgi Sarikaya Solak  1
Affiliations

Comparative Analysis of Sociodemographic, Clinical Features, Laboratory Findings, and Treatment Protocols in Generalized and Localized Cutaneous Lichen Planus

Mustafa Urun et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic, inflammatory, and mucocutaneous disease that can present in various clinical forms, affecting the skin, mucosa, and appendages of the skin. A more extensive form of cutaneous LP, known as generalized cutaneous LP (GCLP), involves a significant portion of the body surface area. Because of the accompanying intense pruritus and difficulties with its treatment, the diagnosis and treatment of GCLP are gaining importance. In this study, we aimed to compare the characteristics of cutaneous LP with localized involvement and those of GCLP.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients' sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender), clinical features (localization and duration of lesions), laboratory findings, treatments received, and relapse rates following treatment using electronic medical records obtained from our university's digital registry system.

Results: Among the patients with cutaneous LP, 24.7% (n=46) had localized cutaneous LP (LCLP), and 22.5% (n=42) had GCLP. Involvement of the trunk and flexural regions was higher among the patients with GCLP than LCLP (p<0.001 and p=0.012, respectively). Hypertriglyceridemia and hepatitis B core antibody positivity were also observed more frequently in the patients with generalized than LCLP (p=0.005 and p=0.016, respectively). Narrowband ultraviolet B and acitretin were more effective in treating patients with GCLP (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). When the relapse rates in both LP groups were compared, relapses were more frequent in the patients with GCLP (p=0.022). Conclusions: The lesion localization, treatment needs, and relapse rates of patients with GCLP differ from those of patients with LCLP. This article was previously presented as an e-poster at the 32nd National Turkish Dermatology Congress on November 24, 2024.

Keywords: acitretin; classic lichen planus; cutaneous lichen planus; generalized lichen planus; hepatitis b & c.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Local Ethics Committee of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine issued approval 07/07. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine (approval number: 07/07, date:15.03.2024). Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flowchart illustrating the selection of the study sample
LP: Lichen planus, LCLP: Localized cutaneous lichen planus, GCLP: Generalized cutaneous lichen planus, BSA: Body surface area
Figure 2
Figure 2. Distribution of lesion durations in localized and generalized lichen planus patients*
The data has been represented as N values. *Pearson Chi-Square test for categorical variables (p=0.577). Statistical significance was considered at p <0.05. ​​​​LP: Lichen planus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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