The Association of Cutaneous Lichen Planus and Metabolic Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

Background: Previous research declares that metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors that contribute to a significant level of incidence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Lichen Planus (LP) is a potential factor to affect dyslipidemia and other components of MS. Objectives: The aim of this research was to assess the association of MS, dyslipidemia, weight, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with cutaneous LP. Methods: To reach the goal of this research, a case-control study was designed. The study sample included 140 participants dividing into two groups of 70. The first group was selected from cutaneous LP patients while the second group was selected randomly. The groups were matched in terms of age and gender. Results: The results of this research demonstrated that MS was present in 41 (58.6%) LP patients vs. 12 (17.1%) controls. (OR: 6.83; P value 0.001). All metabolic syndrome criteria were significantly common among LP patients except for decreased high density of lipoprotein level. Dyslipidemia was observed in 57 (81.42%) patients vs. 25 (31.7%) controls (OR: 7.8; P value 0.001). No statistically significant association was found between gender, the concomitant involvement of oral mucosa, hair, or nail and MS. Conclusions: Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that cutaneous LP is in association with a significant level of risk for metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. It can also be concluded that the investigation of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients and focusing on the modification of their lifestyle and comorbidities are the other essential issues.