Abstract
BackgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common mucocutaneous disorder, and its causative factors and pathogenesis are not fully understood. Existing studies on the association between hematinic deficiencies and OLP are limited and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the hematinic deficiencies in a cohort of OLP patients and evaluate the correlation between hematinic deficiencies and OLP.MethodsA total of 236 OLP patients and 226 age-and-gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of hemoglobin (Hb), serum folate, vitamin B12 and ferritin were measured and compared between OLP patients and healthy controls. An REU (reticular/hyperkeratotic, erosive/erythematous, ulcerative) scoring system was adopted and compared between the OLP patients with and without hematinic deficiencies. The correlation between hematinic deficiencies and OLP was analyzed.ResultsThe frequencies of serum ferritin and vitamin B12 deficiency in OLP patients were both significantly higher than those of the healthy controls. According to gender and age, the profiles of hematinic deficiencies in OLP patients were significantly different. As for the REU score, no significant difference existed between OLP patients with and without hematinic deficiencies. Both serum ferritin deficiency and serum vitamin B12 deficiency were significantly correlated with OLP.ConclusionsThe present study suggested a significant association between hematinic deficiencies and OLP. Iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in OLP patients should be monitored routinely. Further studies are warranted to explore the interactions between OLP and hematinic deficiencies.
Highlights
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common mucocutaneous disorder, and its causative factors and pathogenesis are not fully understood
Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency are the most common hematinic deficiencies, which have been closely associated with some common oral mucosal diseases, such as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and atrophic glossitis (AG) [4, 5]
Hematinic deficiencies in OLP patients compared with healthy controls
Summary
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common mucocutaneous disorder, and its causative factors and pathogenesis are not fully understood. In addition to affecting the integrity of the oral mucosa and increasing the risk of secondary infection in the oral cavity, hematinic deficiencies can cause aberrant immune responses or contribute to psychological disorders, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of OLP [6,7,8,9,10,11]. The same team reported that the frequencies of serum vitamin B12, iron deficiencies and anemia in OLP patients were significantly greater than those in controls [15]. An earlier study showed the comparable frequencies of hematinic deficiencies and anemia between OLP patients and healthy controls, suggesting that hematinic deficiencies may not be a predisposing factor for OLP [13]. Further determination on the association between hematinic deficiencies and OLP are required, which might provide the foundation for nutritional supplements in treating OLP and give new insight into the possible interaction between hematinic deficiencies and OLP
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call