Prevalence of Oral Lichen Planus in out Patient Department of Dentistry ISRA University Hospital Hyderabad

Abstract

Objective: To know the prevalence of oral lichen planus (OLP) in out patient department of dentistry Isra University Hospital Hyderabad. Study & Design: Observational. Place & Duration: Department of Dentistry Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad from April 2009 to March 2012. Material & Methods: A total of 167 patients with oral lichen planus were recruited. Information regarding the age, sex, family history, morphology and distribution of lesions, duration of illness, concomitant use of drugs, associated diseases was obtained on a proforma designed for the study, all patients gave written informed consent. Written information about the study was given to each patient before attending the clinic. All participants of the study undergo careful clinical evaluation including a full medical history and clinical examination to confirm the diagnosis of oral lichen planus. Results: Out of 167 patients of OLP 89 (53.3%) were females and 78 (46.7%) were males (ratio-1.1:1). Most patients were in the age group between 35-45 years. Family history was negative in all patients. No history of any precipitating factors was noted. Mixed oral and mucous membrane lesions were seen in 81 (48.5%) patients. The majority of the patients (57.7%) have classical lesions followed, in order of frequency, by hypertrophic, eruptive, actinic, follicular, and atrophic types (19.8%, 18%, 9.6%, 7.2% &. 3.0% respectively). Cheeks were the commonest site to be involved at onset (95 patients, 56.9%). Other sites at onset, in order of frequency, were: the lips in 33 patients (19%), especially the lower lip (23 patients, 13.8%), tongue (dorsum part) in 21 (12.5%), buccal cavity in 18 (10.8%), and upper lip in 10 (6%). Clearance of lesions occurred within 9 months in most cases with mild to moderate postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. No malignant transformation was noted. Conclusion: Oral Lichen Planus is one of the common disease, seen in our Out Patient Department. The Isra University Hospital based study may give an idea about the clinical presentation of OLP in Out Patient Department of Dentistry. It's more common in females. Therefore it's the responsibility of family dentist to educate patients about available treatment options and their expected outcomes.