Carotid Doppler Ultrasound Evaluation in Patients With Lichen Planus



Aryanian Z^{1, 2} ; Shahabandaz H³ ; Sangrody MA⁴ ; Shirzadian A² ; Tirgartabari S⁵ ; Bijani A⁶ ; Fahim S⁷ ; Etesami I⁷ ; Azizpour A¹ ; Goodarzi A⁸
Source: Iranian Journal of Dermatology Published:2019

Abstract

Background: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate patients with lichen planus using carotid Doppler ultrasound parameters. Methods: Forty patients with lichen planus and 40 controls were included in this study. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the number of atherosclerotic plaque were measured and compared to the control group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were measured. Leptin level (Pg/ml) was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (Leptin ELISA kit, Orgenium, Finland). Results: Significant difference was found between the groups in terms of CIMT (P=0.005). The median range for blood leptin level, triglyceride, cholesterol, and LDL was higher for lichen planus patients than for controls. We found a significant difference between the severity of LP and CIMT (P=0.035). No statistical difference was found between LP and the number of atherosclerotic plaque. Conclusions: Our study suggested that measurement of the mean intima media wall thickness of the common carotid artery could be beneficial as a valuable method for early diagnosis of atherosclerosis in lichen planus. © 2019, Iranian Society of Dermatology. All rights reserved.