Oral lichen planus and hepatitis C virus infection: a fortuitous association?

Recent reviews1,2have focused on a hypothetical relationship between lichen planus (LP) and chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Indeed, several cases of concomitant LP and HCV infection have been reported.3,4However, results of epidemiological studies5-7are still controversial. Since oral localization is the most commonly reported form of LP related to chronic hepatitis,4,8the aim of this study was to assess both the prevalence of HCV antibodies in a group of 102 patients with oral LP and the prevalence of oral LP in a group of 105 patients with HCV antibodies. Patients and Methods. Between March and July 1994, 102 patients with oral LP were included in this prospective study. Oral LP was diagnosed on the basis of the usual clinical features and typical histological findings.8The control group included 306 inpatients undergoing surgery in the same institution during the same period.