A study on the association with hepatitis B and hepatitis C in 1557 patients with lichen planus

Background  Previous reports have demonstrated contradicting results on the association between lichen planus and hepatitis. Objectives  The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lichen planus and viral hepatitis. Methods  Patients with lichen planus were compared with controls regarding the prevalence of viral hepatitis in a case-control study using logistic multivariate regression models. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services. Results  The study included 1557 lichen planus patients over the age of 20 years and 3115 age- and gender-matched controls. The prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with lichen planus was higher than that in the control group (1.9%, 0.4% respectively, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, lichen planus was associated with hepatitis C (OR 4.19, 95% CI 2.21; 7.93). The prevalence of hepatitis B in patients with lichen planus was similar to that in the control group (0.9%, 0.5% respectively, P = 0.12). A multivariate analysis revealed that lichen planus was not associated with hepatitis B (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.82; 3.47). Conclusion  Lichen planus is associated with hepatitis C but not with hepatitis B. Physicians who care for patients with lichen planus should consider screening patients with lichen planus for hepatitis C.