Vulvovaginal-gingival Lichen Planus: Association with Lichen Planopilaris and Stratified Epithelium-specific Antinuclear Antibodies

Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 Jan;96(1):92-6. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2141.

Abstract

Vulvovaginal-gingival lichen planus (VVG-LP) consists of a triad of symptoms: vulval, vaginal and gingival lichen planus lesions. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of lesions in various anatomical locations in patients with VVG-LP. The study included 126 consecutive patients with lichen planus. Sixteen (12.7%) patients fulfilled the criteria of VVG-LP. In 12/16 (75%) patients with VVG-LP scalp lesions were also observed. Stratified epithelium-specific antinuclear antibodies (SES-ANA) and anti-ΔNp.3α antibodies were detected in 10/16 (75%) patients with VVG-LP and in 15/110 (13.6%) patients with other forms of lichen planus (p < 0.05). In conclusion, VVG-LP is frequently associated with lichen planopilaris. The new entity may be termed "vulvovaginal-gingival-pilar lichen planus" and our study indicates that SES-ANA is a marker of this type of lichen planus with extensive, severe and refractory-to-therapy involvement of the mucous membranes, skin and scalp.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / analysis*
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gingival Diseases / diagnosis
  • Gingival Diseases / epidemiology
  • Gingival Diseases / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / diagnosis
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / epidemiology
  • Lichen Planus, Oral / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Vaginal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Vaginal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Vaginal Diseases / immunology*
  • Vulvar Diseases / diagnosis
  • Vulvar Diseases / epidemiology
  • Vulvar Diseases / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Biomarkers