Asymptomatic Hepatitis C in Patient with Oral Lichen Planus: A Case Report

Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the oral mucous membrane/skin with a variety of clinical presentations. Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is considered to be associated with numerous systemic conditions one of which includes hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The geographic variation of the hepatitis C prevalence proved to be an important factor influencing the statistical results of the studies analyzing the association of the oral plan lichen with the hepatitis C virus. LP patients have about a fivefold higher risk than the controls of being HCV seropositive, with geographic variability, being most prevalent in the region of Japan, Mediterranean countries and the USA. Treatment outcomes in patients with oral lichen planus associated with chronic hepatitis C virus are often unsatisfactory compared to patients suffering from idiopathic oral lichen planus. Also, the evolution of oral lesions is often fluctuating, with repeated periods of relapse according to the degree of liver function decompensation. Herewith, a case of oral lichen planus in a female patient is reported, which on investigation revealed hepatitis C antibodies.