Carotid doppler ultrasound evaluation in patients with lichen planus

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.

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 weremeasured 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).

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.

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.