Carbohydrate metabolism in lichen planus.

A study of forty patients with active lichen planus and a negative family history for diabetes showed that 42% had unequivocally abnormal oral glucose tolerance. The pattern of insulin response to glucose is similar to that seen in typical mild maturity-onset diabetes. There was no association between the presence of glucose intolerance and the duration or type of lesions. None of the patients with glucose intolerance had demonstrable islet-cell antibodies.