Lichen planopilaris: A retrospective study of 32 cases in an Australian tertiary referral hair clinic

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Lichen planopilaris is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia. Management of patients with lichen planopilaris is difficult due to a paucity of high-quality data on its epidemiology and pathogenesis and the efficacy of therapies. The purpose of this study was to report the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with lichen planopilaris in a tertiary referral centre.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records in patients with lichen planopilaris seen in the Hair Clinic at the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc., Melbourne, from 2012 to 2016.

Results

Altogether 32 patients with lichen planopilaris (29 women) were included. The onset age ranged from 17 to 77 years with a mean age of 55.2 ± 13.5 years. Scalp pruritus (84%) and perifollicular erythema (72%) were the most common presenting symptoms and signs, respectively. Lichen planopilaris involved the frontal scalp in 66% of patients, the parietal in 56%, and vertex scalp in 50%. There were wide variations in treatment response.

Conclusion

Lichen planopilaris is characterised by a marked female predominance and clinically with pruritus, perifollicular erythema and perifollicular scale. The current range of treatments used produced mixed and often unsatisfactory results. Multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trials are warranted to provide clearer data on efficacious treatment options.