Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that especially
affects the skin, mucous membranes, or both. The aim of the study
was to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with LP in the oral
cavity and concomitant cutaneous lesions and compare their outcomes with
those without cutaneous lesions. 253 records of patients with confirmed diagnosis
of oral lichen planus (OLP) were retrospectively analyzed. The following
clinical data were obtained from the medical charts: sex, age, clinical
presentations of OLP, distributions of the lesions, presence of symptoms, extra
oral manifestations of lichen planus, presence of systemic diseases, and
treatment provided. The group of patients with cutaneous manifestations
was compared for possible clinical differences to those without. Cutaneous
lesions were present in 18.2% (46/253) of patients. Significantly more
patients with cutaneous lesions had other extra oral manifestations (26.1%
versus 1.0%, P<0.00001). Lips were significantly more affected in patients
with cutaneous presentation (41.3% versus 16.9%, P=0.00006). Ulcerative
OLP was more frequent in patients with cutaneous lesions (23.9% versus
10.6%, P=0.0266). Patients with cutaneous manifestations needed significantly
more systemic treatment with systemic steroids (10.9% versus 3.4%,
P=0.0466). Patients with cutaneous lesions were more symptomatic and
tended to require more treatment than patients with OLP who only had oral
involvemen