A Clinical Study of Generalized Lichen Nitidus

Kim, Sung Woo; Lee, Un Ha; Park, Hyun Su; Jang, Sang Jai

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Generalized lichen nitidus is a rare subtype of lichen nitidus characterized by multiple, flesh-colored, shiny papules occurring over the entire body.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the clinical features of generalized lichen nitidus in patients followed up at our institution.
METHODS
The patients with generalized lichen nitidus diagnosed clinically and histopathologically between 1998 and 2007 were reviewed.
RESULTS
Twelve patients (9 males and 3 females) were enrolled in this study and the mean age at onset was 10.3 (range: 4~27) years. Of the 12 patients, 5 (41.7%) experienced pruritus and 4 (33.3%) had atopic dermatitis. None of the patients had a family history of lichen nitidus. Nine patients were treated with topical steroids, systemic steroids, oral antihistamines, or narrow-band UVB. We propose that narrow band UVB is an effective treatment modality for generalized lichen nitidus. The mean duration to clearance was 37.7 (range: 7~120) months and the disease was relapsing in 2 patients. The duration to clearance was correlated to the age at onset (p=0.0005) and to the duration at the first visit (p=0.0000), whereas it was not related to the sex of the patient, pruritus or the accompanying atopic dermatitis.
CONCLUSION
Generalized lichen nitidus is often associated with varying degrees of pruritus and the clinical course of the disease tends to be chronic. We propose that onset at an early age and the short duration of disease at the first visit are good prognostic factors, and that narrow band UVB is an effective treatment modality for generalized lichen nitidus.