The inheritance of susceptibility to lichen planus

• Main Authors: Hafez M, Sharaf L, Seafan F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2006-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dermatology
• Online Access: http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2006;volume=51;issue=1;spage=73;epage=73;aulast=Hafez

The role of inheritance of susceptibility in lichen planus was studied by genetic analysis of data from 71 families of probands with lichen planus. 12 families were multiplex and the other 59 were simplex. The incidence of the disease among relatives of probands was significantly higher than that in the general population and the frequency diminished with the descend in the degree of relationship between relatives and probands. Pedigrees of the families of probands did not consist of any single-gene inheritance. The results shown by the curve of liability of the relatives, the frequency in the first degree relatives and the relative frequency points to a polygenic-environmental interaction. The heritability of liability for lichen planus which measures the relative contribution of genetic factors in etiology was found to be 56 percent for first-degree relatives. The etiology of lichen planus is still not properly known. Several pathogenetic theories have been proposed despite limited supportive evidences. The main theories are: infective, autoimmune, psychogenic and genetic. The aim of this work is to throw a beam of light on the genetic role in the pathogenesis of lichen planus.