Assessing the correlation between trichoscopic features in lichen planopilaris and lichen planopilaris activity index.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Videodermoscopy is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of cicatricial alopecias such as lichen planopilaris. Lichen planopilaris activity index is used for evaluating lichen planopilaris severity. Our aim was to examine the utility of videodermoscopy in the assessment of lichen planopilaris severity.

METHODS: One hundred and seventeen histopathologically confirmed lichen planopilaris patients under went videodermoscopy. Lichen planopilaris activity index was calculated according to cicatricial alopecia standardised flowchart. Differences and correlations between trichoscopic features, clinical findings and lichen planopilaris activity index were calculated.

RESULTS: Most trichoscopic features had statistically significant higher prevalence than similar clinical findings. Targetoid pigment pattern, perifollicular scale and milky-red areas were significantly correlated with lichen planopilaris activity index (P-value < 0.05). There was statistically significant correlation between targetoid pigment pattern and positive anagen pull test (P-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Using trichoscopic features in calculating lichen planopilaris activity index with videodermoscope can help in early lichen planopilaris diagnosis and improve post-treatment follow-up.