Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and lichen planus in patients referred to dermatology clinic of Ardabil Hospital

Objective: To assess the association between lichen planus and Helicobacter pylori. Patients and methods: In this analytical, case-control study, 60 patients with lichen planus (confirmed by histopathology) and 60 age- and sex-matched volunteer blood donors were selected. Tests for H. pylori IgA and IgG antibodies were performed by ELISA. Results: The mean age of patients was 36.3±12.6 years. Of 60 patients with lichen planus, H. pylori IgA antibodies were positive in 46 (76.6%) patients and in 18 (30%) controls (p=0.001). Similarly, H. pylori IgG antibodies were positive in 55 (91.7%) patients of lichen planus and in 44 (73.3%) controls (p=0.007). Conclusion: These findings suggest that H. pylori may be implicated in the etiology of the lichen planus.