Quality of life assessment and the impact of an early diagnosis and treatment in Lichen planopilaris: a systematic review.

Abstract

Lichen planopilaris (LPP) and its variants, mainly frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), affect the hair follicles causing cicatricial alopecia with a significant negative impact on self-confidence and quality of life (QoL). This systematic review investigates the psycho-emotional impact of LPP and its variants using PRISMA guidelines. The review revealed that LPP and FFA cause significant psychological distress and impaired QoL. Higher LPP disease activity and severity were associated with higher depression, higher anxiety scores, lower quality-of-life scores, and higher scores of role limitations (physical and emotional). Additionally, facial lesions in FFA patients, especially the eyebrows involvement can be very distressing, leading to impaired self-esteem and QoL. this negative impact of active and severe LPP and FFA on QoL and self-esteem of patients causes psychiatric conditions including anxiety and depression. Therefore, an early diagnosis must be encouraged in these patients.