Liver enzymes in Nigerians with lichen planus.

INTRODUCTION

Lichen planus has been reported in association with liver diseases. Clinical signs such as jaundice may not be reliable indicator of ongoing inflammation or the presence of an ongoing liver disease. Liver function test in spite of its variability may serve as a more reliable indicator of liver disease. The objective of this study is to assess the discriminant power of liver enzymes with lichen planus and control.

METHODS

Sixty Nigerians with lichen planus (LP group) and 30 patients with other dermatoses control group A) and 30 apparently normal individual (control group B) had their liver enzymes assayed using the automated Hitachi 70 auto-analyzer.

RESULT

There was no a statistically significant difference in the level of liver enzymes between the LP group and controls.

CONCLUSION

Liver enzymes in Nigerian with lichenplanus are generally within normal limits and are comparable to individuals without lichen planus.