Role of stress in oral lichen planus- a cross sectional study

Aim is to evaluate and correlate the levels of psychological stress, serum cortisol and hemoglobin among different types of oral lichen planus patients in both the sex. Material and Methods: Study group comprises of 60 oral lichen planus (OLP) subjectsand 30 healthy subjects in control group. HAD scale is used to evaluate stress anxiety and depression. 5ml disposable syringe was used to collect blood for measuring cortisol and hemoglobin and ECI chemiluminescence method was used for serum cortisol level evaluation. Results and Conclusion: 95% of study group were having stress with P value of 0.0001 which is highly significant. Serum cortisol level also showed 381nmol in OLP subjects compared to 211nmol in Control group. OLP were significantly higher in the younger age group (18-39). Oral diseases were significantly higher in anxiety patients than indepression and control group patients. Most common is Reticular type (70%) of OLP followed by mixed, papular and erosive types. Most common site is buccal mucosa followed by gingiva and hard palate. Hemoglobin level hasn’t showed in significant change. Author also emphasis counseling to be part of management of OLP and relaxation technique included in day to day routine to combat the stress.