Lichen Planus: Health Related Quality of Life, Dermoscopic Features and Clinical Variants in Uganda

• Published in: International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 6; no. 5
• Main Authors: -, Sibali Gidimali Gibu, -, Grace Mulyowa, -, Stephen Mirembe, -, Gladys Aloyo, -, Joel Nyachiri Oenga, -, Edward Ogwang, -, Moise Sindani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 30.10.2024
• ISSN: 2582-2160; 2582-2160
• DOI: 10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.28927

Background: Lichen planus is a chronic, lichenoid inflammatory disorder affecting skin, mucous and appendages that can negatively impact patients’ quality of life. The clinical variants and dermoscopic feature vary based on skin type and race. Such an understanding can ease the diagnosis of lichen planus among dark skinned people. Aims and Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the quality of life and to describe the clinical variants and dermoscopic features among adult patients with lichen planus attending a Regional Referral Hospital skin clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024. A questionnaire was used to collect patients’ data, a standardized tool (DLQI) to assess the quality of life, dermoscopy for describing dermoscopic features and data analyzed using Stata version 17.0. Results: We enrolled 52 adult patients, the median age was 34.5 IQR= 25 – 47. There was a significant relationship between itch X2(1, n = 52) =17.5102, p<.001), embarrassment X2(1, n = 52) =9.5510, p<.002) with patients’ impaired quality of life. More patients had a very large effect on their quality of life (36.54%). The most common variants were classical (50%) and hypertrophic (23.08%). On dermoscopy 104 lesions were examined, (25.96%) of lesions had a violet, (22.11%) gray, (15.38%) gray-blue and (15.38%) gray-violet background. The pigmentary changes seen were mostly brown (69.23%). Wickham’s striae patterns were reticulate (21.15%) and diffuse (14.42%). Limitation: A single study site. Conclusions: lichen planus exerts a very large effect on patient’s quality of life. Itchy skin and a feeling of embarrassment significantly affected the quality of life. Classical and hypertrophic were the most common forms of lichen planus. The most lesions had violaceous or a grayish background, and had brown pigments with a reticulate and diffuse wickham’s striae patterns. Routine screening of quality of life should be practiced on patients with lichen planus.