The prevalence of celiac disease in patients with geographic tongue.

BACKGROUND: Geographic tongue (GT) is a benign inflammatory condition usually involving the dorsal surface and lateral borders of the tongue. Numerous etiological factors of GT have been suggested, including immunological factors; genetic; atopic or allergic predisposition; emotional stress; and hormonal disturbances. GT may also coexist as one of the possible manifestations of celiac disease (CD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CD, positive serologic tests for CD screening, and HLA-DQ presence in patients with GT. METHODS: Tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG), antibodies against gliadin (AGA), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing were assessed for 60 GT patients and 60 healthy control subjects. The duodenal biopsy was performed in patients with positive serologic tests. RESULTS: We found that 9 (15%) GT patients were positive for IgA tTG, and in those patients histological changes consistent with CD were confirmed by duodenal biopsy. Only two of them reported the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. There were statistically significant differences between the GT patients and control group for immunoglobulin (Ig) A tTG (P = 0.03), IgG tTG (P = 0.04), IgA AGA (P = 0.04), and IgG AGA (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrated the increased prevalence of CD in patients with GT. Therefore, the clinical oral examination should be considered a diagnostic tool, especially in atypical or silent forms of CD, since it may contribute to provide an early diagnosis.

Increased prevalence of celiac disease in patients with oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in patients with erosive and reticular form of oral lichen planus (OLP) compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG) and antibodies against gliadin (AGA) were measured in the sera from 56 OLP patients and 57 healthy controls, who also underwent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing. The duodenal biopsy was performed in patients with positive serology, and a gluten-free diet was recommended if CD was confirmed. RESULTS: CD was diagnosed in eight OLP patients (14.29 %). Six OLP patients (10.71 %) were positive for immunoglobulin A (IgA) tTG. A statistically significant difference among the forms of oral lichen was observed for the IgA tTG (p = 0.03) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) tTG (p = 0.01). Higher frequencies of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 were found in OLP patients compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CD was higher in patients with OLP than in the control group. Therefore, increased efforts aimed at the early detection and dietary treatment of CD, among antibody-positive OLP patients, are advisable. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study confirmed the increased frequency of CD among OLP patients. CD screening should be considered in OLP patients, since untreated CD can present many complications and reduce a patient's quality of life.

The role of anxiety, depression, and psychological stress on the clinical status of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: In spite of all the efforts, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and oral lichen planus (OLP) still have unexplained etiology. The role of anxiety, depression, and psychological stress in occurrence and intensity of symptoms in RAS and OLP patients has been investigated in this study. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with RAS in the acute phase and 112 patients with OLP also in acute phase participated in this study. All patients filled out questionnaires related to the primary disease (RAS/OLP) after which they took the following psychological tests: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ). RESULTS: According to multiple regression analysis, in patients with RAS, the highest correlation was found between results of the pain intensity and STAI test (ß= 0.66; p < 0.000). In the patients with OLP, the highest correlation was found between the level of hyperkeratosis and WCQ test (ß = 0.53; P < 0.000), inflammation and results of BDI test (ß = 0.33; P < 0.002), and results of dynia test and STAI test (ß = 0.31; P < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a high correlation between anxiety, depression, and psychological stress with symptoms of RAS and OLP has been observed.

COVID-19 and oral lesions: 2020-2024 outpatient case series and literature review.

Data on oral lesions of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are conflicting, and there are few evidence-based data on oral lesions directly caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this case series and literature review is to determine the prevalence of oral lesions associated with COVID-19 in outpatients and identify oral manifestations that are likely associated with COVID-19. We present 15 patients that came for their first specialist examination to the Oral Medicine Outpatient Clinic, Dental Clinic, Split, Croatia between November 2020 and January 2024. Their medical and dental history was taken following CARE guidelines. The prevalence of oral lesions associated with SARS-CoV-2 was 1.42% during the 4-year follow-up period. The most common oral lesions were nonspecific erosions, stomatitis, salivary flow disorders (xerostomia, oligosialia), salivary gland diseases (sialadenitis, chronic sialadenitis), candidiasis, pigmentation, aphthae, burning mouth syndrome, and geographic and fissured tongue. The mean latency period was 25.1 days. The site most commonly affected was the tongue (61.5%). Oral lesions associated with COVID-19 occurred in middle-aged patients, with an equal distribution by sex. They presented in a mild form and did not correlate with the severity of the clinical picture of COVID-19.

The Croatian Primary Sjögren's Disease Oral Health Study: Oral Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.

To determine salivary flow rate, oral and periodontal status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), objective and subjective indexes, and serum antibody reactivity in patients with primary Sjögren's disease (pSD). Thirty-one patients with pSD and 31 control subjects participated in this cross-sectional, single-center study. The unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR) and stimulated whole salivary flow rate (SWSFR), salivary pH, DMFT index (DMFT = D-decayed, M-missing, F-filled tooth), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), interincisal distance, OHRQoL, objective European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SS Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) and subjective (EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), 6-items-VAS-SS (Visual Analog Scale), Profile of Fatigue) indexes were analyzed. The patients with pSD had a blood sample taken in the morning between 7 and 10 a.m. for comprehensive laboratory analysis. Patients with pSD had statistically significant lower UWSFR (0.20 vs. 0.90 mL/min) and SWSFR (0.56 vs. 1.64 mL/min) values compared with control subjects (p < 0.001, Mann-Withney U test). Salivary pH value of pSD patients was significantly lower compared with control subjects (6.00 vs. 7.00; p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). The mean DMFT index of patients with pSD compared to control subjects was not statistically significant (23.74 ± 7.28 vs. 20.77 ± 5.73; p = 0.08, t-test). Interincisal distance was significantly decreased in the pSD group compared with control subjects (43.80 ± 0.38 vs. 47.60 ± 0.50; p = 0.003, t-test). The prevalence of periodontitis was similar in patients with pSD and control subjects (83.9% vs. 77.4%; p = 0.35, λ2 test). The mean Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) total score was statistically significantly higher in pSD patients compared with control subjects (32.00 vs. 8.00; p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Patients with pSD have decreased salivary flow and salivary pH, poor oral health, decreased interincisal distance, high prevalence of periodontitis, and worse OHRQoL. These findings highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with pSD that includes physical and psychological aspects of the disease.

Salivary Flow Rate and Oral Status in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome and Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Determination of salivary flow rate and oral status in patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and comparison with control subjects. Thirty-one pSS patients, 28 dcSSc patients, and 28 control subjects participated in this single-center, cross-sectional study. Unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR) and stimulated whole salivary flow rate (SWSFR), salivary pH, DMFT index (D-decayed, M-missing, F-filled tooth), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), interincisal distance, and OHRQoL (oral health-related quality of life) were analyzed in all three groups of subjects. Primary SS and dcSSc patients had statistically significant lower values of UWSFR (0.20; 0.38 vs. 0.91 mL/min) and SWSFR (0.56; 0.70 vs. 1.64 mL/min) compared with control subjects (p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). Salivary pH values were statistically significantly lower in pSS and dcSSc patients compared with control subjects (6.00; 6.25 vs. 7.00, respectively) (p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). The DMFT index of dcSSc patients was higher (28.50) and statistically significant compared to control subjects (20.00) (p = 0.01). The prevalence of periodontitis was the same in pSS and dcSSc patients and control subjects (p = 0.384). Primary SS and dcSSc patients had a statistically significant decreased interincisal distance compared to control subjects (43.80; 38.00 vs. 48.00) (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Primary SS and dcSSc patients show decreased UWSFR and SWSFR, salivary pH values closer to an acidic medium, higher DMFT index, higher prevalence of periodontitis, decreased interincisal distance, and poorer OHRQoL, i.e., poor oral and periodontal health.

Association between Salivary Cortisol and α-Amylase with the Psychological Profile of Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between the concentration/activity of salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol, α-amylase) and the psychological profile of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS). A total of 160 subjects participated in this case-control study: 60 patients with OLP; 60 patients with primary BMS; and 40 control subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was collected between 9 and 10 a.m. Salivary biomarkers were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Psychological assessment was evaluated with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The patients with primary BMS had higher salivary cortisol concentrations and α-amylase activity (0.52 vs. 0.44 µg/dL; 160,531 vs. 145,804 U/L; one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Scheffe test) compared with patients with OLP. The patients with primary BMS had statistically significant higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress compared with patients with OLP and control subjects (p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). There was a strong positive correlation between anxiety and depression, stress and depression, and stress and anxiety in patients with OLP and BMS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively; Spearman's correlation). There was a good positive correlation between symptom intensity (pain/burning) and psychological profile (depression, anxiety, stress) in patients with primary BMS (r = 0.373, p = 0.003; r = 0.515, p < 0.001; r = 0.365, p = 0.004, respectively; Spearman's correlation). This case-control study is the first to compare the psychoendocrinological profile of patients with two different oral diseases. The patients with BMS showed a higher concentration/activity of salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol, α-amylase) and a stronger association with mental disorders compared with patients with OLP. However, an interdisciplinary psychoneuroimmunological approach is equally important in both patient groups (OLP and BMS), regardless of whether mental disorders are the cause or the consequence.

The analysis of tobacco consumption in Croatia--are we successfully facing the epidemic?

Tobacco is the largest cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to analyse several health and economically related indicators of tobacco consumption: smoking prevalence, standardized death rates (SDRs) from lung cancer and the proportion of GDP spent on tobacco in Croatia and other transitional countries--the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria. The overall smoking prevalence in Croatia decreased by 5.2% during 1994-2005, more among females (-9.9%) than males (-0.3%). There is no significant difference in the smoking prevalence between Croatia (27.4%) and other countries. However, 33.8% of Croatian males smoked during 2002-2005, more than in Romania and the Czech Republic, and less than in Hungary and Poland. The prevalence of female smoking (21.7%) in Croatia is similar to the female smoking prevalence in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, but male smoking is predominant in all countries. The proportion of smokers among youth is above 20% and it is the highest in the Czech Republic (29.7%), followed by Hungary (26.7%), Slovenia (24.9%), Croatia (24.1%), and Poland (21.5%). The proportion of smokers among girls is higher than among boys in Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Croatia, contrary to Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Poland where boys smoke slightly more. There is no significant difference between the prevalence of smoking among girls in Croatia and Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, and Slovakia. According to the SDR from lung cancer in males (70.3/100,000), Croatia is ranked high assuming the 3rd place, after Hungary (99.7) and Poland (72.0). With a SDR of 15.9/100,000 for females, Croatia is ranked slightly better--5th place. Tobacco consumption continues to be a major public health problem in transitional countries. Croatia conducted several campaigns and programmes in the past. However, results reveal that current anti-tobacco strategies are ineffective in reducing the smoking prevalence among men and youth. Men do not smoke less than a decade ago and, despite the observed decline among women, increasing trends are observed among teenage girls. Croatia should apply a comprehensive approach that would include raising awareness of health risks, restriction of smoking in public places, higher taxing, implementing stricter bans on advertising and promotion of tobacco as well as supporting smoking cessation. This last measure is believed to bring about some results in the medium term in targeted population groups, provided that it is supported by all health professionals. Otherwise, we may expect progress at the population level in the field of social stigmatization of smoking and wider intolerance to second-hand smoke. The full impact of smoking on the population health is yet to be seen and in the future it will undoubtedly remain one of the major contributors to the poor public health situation in Croatia.

Salivary and serum interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with leukoplakia and oral cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of study was to compare salivary and serum concentrations of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in patients with oral leukoplakia, oral cancer and healthy controls. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty eight patients (28 with oral cancer, 29 leukoplakia, and 31 healthy controls) were included in this study. Cytokine concentrations were measured by commercial enzyme linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Salivary IL-1ß and IL-6 were significantly higher in oral cancer patients than in patients with leukoplakia and control group (p<0.05). No differences in concentrations of salivary TNF-α between either of the groups were observed. Serum concentrations of IL-1ß were below level of detection in all but two participants. No significant differences between the groups were observed in serum concentrations of IL-6. Serum TNF-α was significantly higher in control subjects than in oral cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with oral cancer have elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in their saliva. Whether this elevation can be used for monitoring the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia remains to be answered by further follow up studies.

Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that dyslipidemia prevalence and cardiovascular disease risk were increased in subjects with oral lichen planus diagnose. On the other hand, so far, there is no available data on the topic of cardiovascular risk (CVR) in subjects with oral lichen planus (OLP). The main aim of this study, due to lack of any other study covering this topic, was to investigate lipid profile and assess CVR in patients with OLP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To create a routine lipid profile, we collected triglyceride serum levels, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 63 OLP patients and 63 healthy people representing control subjects. For every patient their individual cardiovascular risk was measured. RESULTS: In comparison with the tested control subjects, patients with OLP had all parameters of the lipid profile elevated, with no differences of statistical importance. Furthermore, the experimental (OLP) and control groups shared similar mean values of the lipid profile parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The association of OLP with cardiovascular risk was not established and further studies with more subjects involved are required to validate this connection.

From the history of Croatian dentistry: 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Sime Kordic (1909-1984).

The aim of this study was to pay tribute to the memory of extraordinary Croatian Professor of children's and preventive dentistry Sime Kordic on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The biography and work of this scientist and teacher were presented, as well as his researches about the history of dentistry and medicine in our coastal cities. On the bases of his published papers, we analyzed a significant role of Professor Sime Kordic for the development of dental medicine and promotion of health culture in Croatia.

Analysis of the elective curriculum in undergraduate medical education in Croatia.

CONTEXT: Elective courses are a significant part of undergraduate medical education throughout the world, but the value provided by these courses and the reasons for choosing particular elective courses have not been studied extensively. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate medical and dental students' experiences of elective courses in undergraduate medical education in Croatia and to gather students' recommendations for the improvement of elective courses. METHODS: Medical and dental students studying under the Bologna curriculum were given a questionnaire in which they were asked for their opinions of elective courses and their suggestions as to how they might be improved. Data on elective courses were obtained from medical schools' administrative offices. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 92% (834/903). Medical students gave elective courses an average grade of 3.44 out of 5, whereas dental students gave a lower average of 3.15. Students' suggestions for change included introducing more practical work and recognising international student exchanges and attendance at conferences as elective options. A third of students indicated that teachers should be given additional training in leading elective courses. Analysis of the curriculum showed that elective courses in Croatian medical schools are very heterogeneous in terms of their content and the number of credits and assessment methods they involve, and are very conservative in that only structured courses are offered. Students cannot design their own courses or take more elective courses than represent 10% of their total number of credits. CONCLUSIONS: Student opinion should be consulted when medical schools venture into the elective curriculum so that students can feel that they are really benefiting from these subjects. Students would welcome new and personally designed strands. Elective courses are a significant part of medical education and therefore their quality and purpose need to be assessed regularly in order to ensure that they meet students' needs.

Undergraduate grade point average is a poor predictor of scientific productivity later in career.

The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the undergraduate grade point average in prediction of scientific production of research trainees during their fellowship and later in career. The study was performed in 1320 research trainees whose fellowships from the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports were terminated between 1999 and 2005. The data were analyzed using logistic regression. The results indicated that undergraduate grade point average was negatively associated with scientific productivity both during and after the fellowship termination. Other indicators, such as undergraduate scientific productivity exhibited much stronger positive association with scientific productivity later in career and should be given more weight in candidate selection process in science and research.

Oral lichen planus: a retrospective comparative study between Thai and Croatian patients.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common oral mucosal disease that affects middle age patients. However, there are few reports about the incidence of OLP in different ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of OLP in Thai and Croatian patients. Retrospective data were taken from medical records of 175 patients referred to the Oral Medicine Department of Chulalongkorn University and 175 patients referred to the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb during the 1997-2007 period. In all patients the diagnosis of OLP was clinically and histopathologically confirmed. In Thai and Croatian OLP patients, females were predominant (the female to male ratio was 3.5:1). Croatian OLP patients were older with a significant age difference between female Thai and Croatian OLP patients (p<0.05). Atrophic-erosive type of OLP was common in Thai patients, whereas reticular OLP was predominant in Croatians (p<0.001). Burning sensation was the most common chief complaint in both ethnic groups. Significant differences between the two ethnic groups were found in the sites of OLP lesions as well as in the occurrence of pain, roughness and white patches, systemic diseases and use of medication (p<0.05). Croatian patients had more systemic diseases and took more medications than Thai. Three cases showed dysplasia in either group, whereas only one Thai patient developed squamous cell carcinoma. Although Thai and Croatian patients differed significantly according to the clinical type of OLP, the rate of malignant transformation was very low.

Salivation quantum--stomatopyrosis--autogenic training.

Stomatopyrosis of 'burning mouth' syndrome, in a narrower sense of definition, is a condition characterized by sensation of burning and heating in mouth, despite its normal mucosa. This research has been directed towards treatment of stomatopyrosis, putting emphasis on the implementation of psychopharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. The research was conducted on altogether 120 respondents suffering from stomatopyrosis. The respondents were divided into two equal groups: each one comprising 60 members. All the respondents were treated by means of a standard topical therapy. All the patients were assessed clinically and by means of psychological tests measuring depression and anxiety four times: once before the treatment, after one month, after two months and after four months since the beginning of the treatment. The acquired data were afterwards statistically processed. When grading the symptoms on VAS, i.e. visual analogous scale, the subjective assessment of symptoms was marked as 7-8 cm, which shows a high degree of burning sensation. According to our study, the quantity of saliva, which was at the beginning of the research slightly decreased, normalized after the treatment. Apart from the clinical investigation of stomatopyrosis, we applied Depression and Anxiety questionnaires. On the basis of our research, we have concluded the following: the comorbidity of stomatopyrosis with the phenomena of anxiety and depression proves that, among other factors, there is a psychogenic aetiology of this disease. Autogenic training, which is a psychotherapeutic anxiolytic technique, is a therapy of choice for stomatopyrosis, which contributes not only to the elimination of oral complaints, but to the emotional rehabilitation of the patients as well, and to the reduction of dryness in the mouth.

HIV infection, as opposed to antiretroviral therapy, does not cause changes in the concentration levels of specific salivary electrolytes.

The concentration levels of salivary calcium, magnesium and zinc can vary in different localized oral, as well as systemic diseases and conditions. So far changes in the concentration levels of specific electrolytes in stimulated parotid saliva in HIV-positive/AIDS patients have been proven. The objective of this research was not only to study the concentration levels of calcium in non-stimulated total saliva, but also the concentration levels of magnesium and zinc, which have not been studied so far, and the influence of antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This research was conducted on 60 healthy subjects with an average age of 40.4 years, and 60 HIV-positive patients with an average age of 43.7 years, 45 of whom took HAART therapy. The concentration levels of calcium, magnesium and zinc in saliva were determined by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No significant differences in the levels of excreted saliva/5 minutes (p = 0.116), the concentration levels of salivary calcium (p = 0.713), magnesium (p = 0.600), nor zinc (p = 0.162) were found between HIV-positive patients and the control group. No any correlation was determined between all three types of electrolytes and the number of CD4+ cells, nor the number of HIV-virus copies in peripheral blood of patients. Within the HIV-positive group, with respect to HAART therapy, no differences were found in the concentration levels of salivary magnesium (p = 0.588), nor zinc (p = 0.096). However, the concentration levels of salivary calcium were significantly higher in HIV-positive patients who underwent HAART treatment (p = 0.004). The results of this research show that HIV, as a systematic infection, does not cause changes in the excretion of magnesium, zinc nor calcium in non-stimulated total saliva. Furthermore, it has been proven that HAART treatment does not cause changes in the concentration levels of magnesium or zinc, but can cause an elevation in the concentration level of saliva, which could be related to the calcium mobilization in blood.

[Stent, endovascular prosthesis, net or strut? What would British dentist Charles Stent (1807-1885) have to say on all this?]. / Stent, endovaskularna proteza, mrezica ili podupirac? Sto bi na sve to rekao britanski stomatolog Charles Stent (1807.-1885.)?

The word stent appears in the Index Medicus as of 1952, while in Croatian articles as of 1993. The origin of the word has been attributed to British dentist Charles. T. Stent (1807-1885), maker of the compound for dental impressions (Stent's compound). Viennese surgeon, Johannes F. S. Esser (1877-1946) used the compound in plastic surgery of the face calling it an eponym Stent's mould. During the 1950's, William H. ReMine and John H. Grindlay used Stent's principle for omentum lined plastic tubes in the bile duct of a dog. The development of today's vascular stents began in 1912 when French Nobel Prize winner Alexis Carrel (1873-1944) implanted glass tubes in the arteries of dogs. The first metal spirals were implanted in the arteries of dogs by Charles T. Dotter (1920-1985), while the first stents in human arteries were implanted by French doctors Ulrich Sigwart and Jacques Puel in Toulouse in 1986. Some authors claim that the origin of the word stent is associated with the Scotish word stynt or stent, meaning stretched out river fishing nets.

Inflammatory Markers and Incidence of other Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus.

INTRODUCTION: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune, inflammatory disease of the oral cavity of a still unknown etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 63 subjects diagnosed with oral lichen planus and 63 subjects without pathologic changes in the oral mucosa who were classified as controls. All subjects were given a detailed medical history at first screening. The medical history of the presence of other autoimmune disease in all subjects was supported by medical records. A sample of venous blood was taken from each subject in order to determine sedimentation rate (SE) and leukocyte count (L) using standard laboratory procedures, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration values ​​were determined as well. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The methods of descriptive statistics, χ2-test, the Fisher's exact test, and the Student's t-test were used in the statistical processing of the results. The results were interpreted at a significance level of P <0.05. RESULTS: For all three measured inflammatory markers, there were no statistically significant differences in the number of subjects with elevated values ​​between the test and control groups (P = 0.364 for SE; P = 1.000 for CRP and P = 0.219 for L). The prevalence of other autoimmune disease in the OLP group was higher than in the control group, with statistical significance, and the most common was cutaneous lichen in nine subjects (14.29%) with OLP and celiac disease seven subjects (11.11%). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that there was no significant difference in the average values of the investigated inflammatory markers in blood (SE, CRP and L) between patients with OLP and control subjects, while a significantly higher incidence of other autoimmune diseases in patients with OLP was demonstrated.