CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC PROFILE OF ORAL LICHEN PLANUS

Abstract

Objective To describe the clinical and epidemiologic profile of patients with oral lichen planus admitted to an oral lesions reference center. Study Design A descriptive study involving 38 records of individuals with clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of oral lichen planus was performed. Information was collected on sociodemographic variables, systemic conditions, health, lifestyle, and lesion features. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Results Of the patients, 68.4% were aged over 40 years, 65.8% were female, 78.9% were black or brown, and 42.1% were high school graduates; 52.6% were single, widowed, or divorced and 68.4% had no systemic disease, and 42.1% were drinkers while 26.3% were smokers. Regarding lesion clinical features, reticular lichen planus was more common (78.1%), mainly in the oral mucosa (68.4%). Conclusion Individuals with oral lichen planus were mostly female, aged over 40 years, unmarried, and high school graduates. The reticular form was the most observed, especially in the oral mucosa. The study results confirm the importance of knowing both epidemiologic profiles, disease history and its clinical and histopathological features for lesion diagnosis.