Contact sensitisation in oral lichen planus: An Australian perspective.

BACKGROUND: The role of contact sensitisation in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP) has not been clearly defined. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate relevant contact sensitisers in OLP. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on OLP patients who underwent patch testing from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2020 at an Australian tertiary dermatology institution, compared to cheilitis patients patch tested over the same time period. RESULTS: Ninety-six OLP patients and 152 cheilitis patients were patch tested during the 15-year period. Seventy-one (73.9%) OLP patients and 100 (65.8%) cheilitis patients recorded one or more relevant reactions. Forty-three (44.8%), 22 (22.9%), 21 (21.9%) and 17 (17.7%) OLP patients had relevant reactions to mercury-related chemicals, amalgam, spearmint and carvone, respectively, compared to 6 (3.9%), 3 (2.0%), 4 (2.6%) and 0 (0%) cheilitis patients, respectively (p-value <0.001 each). Four (4.2%) OLP patients had relevant positive reactions to sodium metabisulfite, compared to none in the cheilitis group (p-value 0.021). CONCLUSION: While dental amalgam is used less frequently these days, we report that mercury (found in amalgam) and additionally spearmint and carvone are relevant sensitisers in OLP in Australia. Sodium metabisulfite may also be a relevant sensitiser in OLP, which has not previously been reported.

Oral lichen planus induced by long-term use of antimicrobials for recurrent aphthous ulcer: A case report and literature review. / é•¿æœŸä½¿ç”¨æŠ—èŒè¯ç‰©æ²»ç–—å¤å‘æ€§å£è ”æºƒç–¡å¼•èµ·å£è ”æ‰å¹³è‹”è—“1ä¾‹å¹¶æ–‡çŒ®å¤ä¹ .

The precise etiology of oral lichen planus (OLP) is still unclear, but the existing evidence suggests that drug intake, virus infection, fungal infection, psychological disorders, and immunodeficiency are closely associated with the pathogenesis of OLP. We report a case of OLP accompanied with candidiasis induced by long-term use of antimicrobials for recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) and update the literature, to discuss the possible association between OLP and misuse of antimicrobials, and to inform general dentists and pharmacists the importance for practice with optimal antimicrobial stewardship. In this case, a 42-year-old man presented to Xiangya Stomatological Hospital with white reticular patterns spreading in the oral cavity for almost 1 year. He was diagnosed with OLP via histopathological examination. He had a 5-year history of RAU which occurred every 1-2 months, and he was given antimicrobials ingested or injected whenever the ulcers came up. Satisfactory treatment results were obtained by stopping the abuse of antimicrobials and local antifungal therapy. Meanwhile, the exacerbation and alleviation of OLP was closely related to the administration of antimicrobials. Combined with literature review, antimicrobial might contribute to the development of OLP by inducing candidiasis, a common side-effect of misuse of antimicrobials. Considering the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and opportunistic infection, dentists should prescribe antimicrobials judiciously according to guidelines and evidence-based indications. Appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials is a professional responsibility to all dentists.

Evaluation of the Salivary Level of Cortisol in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus: A Meta-Analysis.

Background and objective: Cortisol, as the main human glucocorticoid, is considered to be a biological marker of stress and anxiety. Since it is known that oral lichen planus (OLP) can appear and worsen during stressful events, cortisol levels have been previously studied in OLP patients. The present meta-analysis aims to assess the salivary concentration of cortisol in OLP patients compared to healthy controls. Materials and methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched up to October 2018. The RevMan 5.3 software was used with the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The CMA 2.0 Software was used to evaluate the publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression as possible sources of heterogeneity. Results: 10 studies were analyzed and a total of 269 OLP patients and 268 controls were included. The pooled MD of the salivary levels of cortisol in OLP patients compared with controls was 4.27 ng/mL (95% CI: 2.33, 6.21; P < 0.0001), thus, the salivary level of cortisol in OLP patients was significantly higher than in controls. In Indian-based population studies, a significant difference in the salivary cortisol levels in OLP patients compared with controls was detected (MD = 5.62 ng/mL; 95% CI: 2.67, 8.56; P = 0.0002). In addition, a significant difference in the salivary cortisol levels in the OLP patients compared with the controls was obtained in studies performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (MD = 5.33 ng/mL; 95% CI: 2.72, 7.93; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: We suggest that supportive psychological treatment together with the conventional therapy could increase patients' capability to prevent stress, anxiety, and depression.

Medication use and medical history of 155 patients with oral lichenoid lesions: a retrospective study.

Several medications have been reported as possible etiologic factors for oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs). This study investigated the medication profile and medical history of patients with biopsy-proven OLP or OLLs, also classified by the clinically nonspecific term oral lichenoid mucositis (OLM), in a busy oral medicine clinic. The University of Florida College of Dentistry records from 2009 to 2014 were searched retrospectively for all patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of OLP, OLLs, or OLM. Patients were excluded if dysplasia or carcinoma was diagnosed concurrently at the same biopsy site. The demographics, clinical parameters, systemic diseases, histologic diagnosis, and direct immunofluorescence testing results were recorded. Medication category use was recorded based on both commonly used medications and those that have been reportedly linked to lichenoid disease in the literature. A total of 155 patients with an average age of 63.6 years were included. The majority of patients were women (76.8%) and Caucasian (91.8%). Most of the lesions were multifocal and mixed (white-red) in appearance. The most common systemic conditions were hypertension (n = 80; 51.6%) followed by thyroid disease (n = 52; 33.5%) and diabetes (n = 26; 16.8%). Antihypertensives were the most common medication category followed by, in descending order, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, psychiatric medications, and thyroid replacement drugs. The records revealed that 87.7% of the patients took at least 1 medication from 1 of the categories studied. Medication use is common in patients with biopsy-proven OLP or OLLs. Although causation cannot be assessed from the results of this study, the clinician should consider the possibility of medication as a complicating factor in patients with OLP or OLLs.

Symptomatic oral lesions may be associated with contact allergy to substances in oral hygiene products.

OBJECTIVE: Dental materials and oral hygiene products may be responsible for oral contact allergic reactions. We aimed to determine the occurrence of allergies in patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) and stomatitis and investigate if patch testing could identify contact allergies to dental materials and oral hygiene products in these patients. METHODS: Forty-nine patients (7 men, 42 women) aged 31 to 77 years (61 ± 10.3 years) with symptomatic OLP, OLL or stomatitis and 29 healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects were included. They underwent an interview, clinical examination, oral mucosal biopsy and epicutan testing to the European baseline series, a toothpaste and dental material series. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had OLP, 19 OLL and 11stomatitis. Oral burning/itching was the most common symptom (83.7%), and 65.3% patients had more than one symptom. Patients visited their dentist more often than the healthy subjects and had statistically higher DMF-T and DMF-S scores. Nineteen patients (38.8%) and 10 healthy control subjects (34.5%) had allergic contact reactions primarily to fragrance ingredients. No differences could be found between OLP, OLL, stomatitis and healthy controls with regard to allergic contact reactions. However, contact allergy to aroma substances differed significantly between the patients and the healthy control subjects (p = 0.02). This type of contact allergy was most common in patients with OLP and OLL (p = 0.01). Avoidance cleared symptoms in all cases. CONCLUSION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Allergic reactions to aroma substances in oral hygiene products are common in patients with symptomatic OLP, OLL and stomatitis.

The role of patch testing in the management of oral lichenoid reactions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The distinction of oral lichenoid reactions from oral lichen planus may be difficult in a clinical setting. Our aims were to ascertain the utility of patch testing to confirm the association of oral lichenoid reactions with dental restorations and to identify the benefits of replacement of restorations, primarily made of amalgam. METHODS: Patients seen in an oral medicine unit over a 10-year period diagnosed with oral lichenoid reactions, with oral lichen planus resistant to treatment or with atypical lichenoid features were included in this study. All had been subjected to skin patch testing. Histopathology reports blinded to patch test results were scrutinized. Patch-test-positive subjects were advised to have their restorations replaced. All were followed up to determine disease resolution for at least 3 months thereafter. RESULTS: Among 115 patients, 67.8% patients reacted positive to a dental material and nearly a quarter to mercury or amalgam. No correlation was found between pathology and skin patch testing results (P = 0.44). A total of 87 patients were followed up in clinic, and among 26 patch-test-positive patients who had their amalgam fillings replaced, moderate to complete resolution was noted in 81%. CONCLUSIONS: Skin patch testing is a valuable tool to confirm clinically suspected oral lichenoid reactions. Pathology diagnoses of oral lichenoid reactions did not correlate with patch test results. Prospective studies are needed to ascertain that a clinically suspected oral lichenoid reaction with a positive patch test result may resolve after the replacement of amalgam fillings.

Oral lichenoid contact lesions to mercury and dental amalgam--a review.

Human oral mucosa is subjected to many noxious stimuli. One of these substances, in those who have restorations, is dental amalgam which contains mercury. This paper focuses on the local toxic effects of amalgam and mercury from dental restorations. Components of amalgam may, in rare instances, cause local side effects or allergic reactions referred to as oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs). OLLs to amalgams are recognised as hypersensitivity reactions to low-level mercury exposure. The use of patch testing to identify those susceptible from OLL is explored, and recommendations for removing amalgam fillings, when indicated are outlined. We conclude that evidence does not show that exposure to mercury from amalgam restorations poses a serious health risk in humans, except for an exceedingly small number of hypersensitivity reactions that are discussed.

Candidiasis and other oral mucosal lesions during and after interferon therapy for HCV-related chronic liver diseases.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is seen frequently in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of oral candidiasis, other mucosal lesions, and xerostomia during interferon (IFN) therapy for HCV infection. METHODS: Of 124 patients with HCV-infected liver diseases treated with IFN therapy in our hospital, 14 (mean age 56.00 ± 12.94 years) who attended to receive administration of IFN once a week were identified and examined for Candida infection and other oral lesions and for the measurement of salivary flow. Serological assays also were carried out. RESULTS: Cultures of Candida from the tongue surfaces were positive in 7 (50.0%) of the 14 patients with HCV infection at least once during IFN therapy. C. albicans was the most common species isolated. The incidence of Candida during treatment with IFN did not increase above that before treatment. Additional oral mucosal lesions were observed in 50.0% (7/14) of patients: OLP in three (21.4%), angular cheilitis in three (21.4%) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis in one (7.1%). OLP occurred in one patient before treatment with IFN, in one during treatment and in one at the end of treatment. 85.7% of the oral lesions were treated with topical steroids. We compared the characteristics of the 7 patients in whom Candida was detected at least once during IFN therapy (group 1) and the 7 patients in whom Candida was not detected during IFN therapy (group 2). The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (P=0.0075) and incidence of external use of steroids (P=0.0308) in group 1 were significantly higher than in group 2. The average body weight of group 1 decreased significantly compared to group 2 (P=0.0088). Salivary flow decreased in all subjects throughout the course of IFN treatment and returned at 6th months after the end of treatment. In group 1, the level of albumin at the beginning of the 6th month of IFN administration was lower than in group 2 (P=0.0550). According to multivariate analysis, one factor, the presence of oral mucosal lesions, was associated with the detection of Candida. The adjusted odds ratio for the factor was 36.00 (95% confidence interval 2.68-1485.94). CONCLUSION: We should pay more attention to oral candidiasis as well as other oral mucosal lesions, in patients with weight loss during IFN treatment.

Reaction to biological drugs: infliximab for the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis subsequently triggering erosive lichen planus.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening skin reaction for which there is currently has no standardized treatment, despite its significant mortality. Biological agents such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists are emerging as a novel treatment for patients with TEN. We report a 32-year-old woman who developed TEN secondary to sulfasalazine, which was treated with infliximab. The infliximab treatment subsequently triggered erosive lichen planus (LP) involving the mouth and vulva. Clinicians should be aware that TNF-α antagonists can cause LP as a paradoxical complication of treatment.

Oral lichenoid lesions associated with amalgam restorations: a prospective pilot study addressing the adult population of the Basque Country.

UNLABELLED: Oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) are linked to a heterogeneous group of pathologies involving the oral mucosa that cannot be distinguished from the oral lichen planus excepting the fact that direct causal factors such as silver amalgam restorations (SARs) can be allocated to them. PURPOSE: To analyze the prevalence of mucosal lesions associated with SAR in a group of SAR carrying patients in the Basque Country. STUDY DESIGN: A clinical prospective study was carried out on 100 adult patients over 30 years of age at the UPV/EHU Clinical Odontology Service whose rear teeth had at least one SAR. Patients were identified and mucosal lesions and amalgam restorations were characterized. Patch tests were performed on patients with lesions and amalgams were replaced with composite material. A statistical and comparative analysis was performed with the resulting data. RESULTS: OLLs were found in 7 patients whose predominant lesion was bilateral, asymmetrical and asymptomatic white papule-macule. Lesions were related to old and corroded SARs. Patch testing was positive in two cases. SAR substitution produced an improvement in 5 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of lichenoid lesions associated with SARs is infrequent in our environment and is preferentially related to old and corroded restorations.

Diagnosing oral lichenoid contact reaction: clinical judgment versus skin-patch test.

AIM: Objective of this study was to compare the skin-patch test with the clinical diagnosis of oral lichenoid contact reaction (OLCR) as indicators for amalgam replacement. METHODS: Of 53 patients (38 female and 15 male; mean age 48.7) with oral lichen planus (OLP), 26 were identified as having OLCR, and clinically graded according to the proximity of their lesions with amalgam fillings: class I (weak association), class II (moderate association), and class III (strong association). All OLCR patients were skin-patch tested for both standard (Brazilian) and specific allergens (TROLAB, Germany). Patients were considered skin-patch positive only if they developed positive skin reactions for thimerosal and/or amalgam components. Amalgam replacement was indicated in all class II and III patients. For class-I patients, amalgam replacement was indicated only if they were skin-patch test positive. Readings for the skin-patch test were made at 48h and 96h. RESULTS: Of the 26 patients with OLCR, two missed the follow-up and were excluded, leaving 24 cases. Of these, four were class-I, and all were negative for the skin-patch test. Twelve were class-II, of whom seven were skin-patch positive. Eight were class-III, of whom six were skin-patch positive. Following amalgam replacement in the 12 class-II patients, six showed improvement and six had complete resolution, while in the eight class-III patients, two showed improvement and six a complete resolution. CONCLUSION: Clinical diagnosis of OLCR lesions is a more reliable indicator for the question of amalgam replacement than is the skin-patch test.

Dental implants in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases: A systematic critical review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate complications and survival rates of dental implants placed in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses systematic review guidelines (PRISMA), using Google scholar and PubMed electronic databases with a stop date of September 2021. The eligibility criteria included all full text human studies in the English language literature reporting on patients with autoimmune diseases treated with dental implants. RESULTS: Fifty-five studies reporting on nine distinct autoimmune diseases were analyzed: 17 on Sjögren's syndrome (SS), 11 on oral lichen planus (OLP), 8 on Type 1 diabetes, 6 on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 4 on systemic scleroderma (SSc), 3 on Crohn's disease (CD), 3 on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2 on mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMB) and 1 on pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Despite the heterogeneity and methodological limitations of most of the studies, results showed that dental implant survival rates were comparable to those reported in the general population. However, patients with secondary SS or erosive OLP were more susceptible to developing peri-mucositis and increased marginal bone loss. CONCLUSION: This review suggested that dental implants may be considered as a safe and viable therapeutic option in the management of edentulous patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, scrupulous maintenance of oral hygiene and long-term follow-up emerge as being the common determinants for uneventful dental implant treatment.

Can We Separate Oral Lichen Planus from Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Should We Patch Test? A Systematic Review of Chronic Oral Lichenoid Lesions.

This systematic review summarizes characteristics and treatment outcomes of dental amalgam-associated oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) and oral lichen planus (OLP). Embase and MEDLINE were searched for original studies on OLLs or OLP associated with dental amalgam. Data extraction was completed from 44 studies representing 1855 patients. Removal of amalgam restorations led to complete resolution in 54.2% (n = 423/781), partial resolution in 34.8% (n = 272/781), and no resolution in 11.0% (n = 86/781) of the patients with OLLs, whereas complete resolution occurred in 37.1% (n = 72/194), partial resolution in 26.3% (n = 51/194), and no resolution in 36.6% (n = 71/194) of the patients with OLP. For patients with OLLs, 91.6% of the patients with positive patch tests and 82.9% with negative patch tests had improvement with removal of amalgam, whereas for patients with OLP, 89.2% of the patients with positive patch tests and 78.9% with negative patch tests had improvement with removal of amalgam. Our results suggest improvement occurs, regardless of patch testing status.

Oral lichenoid reaction associated with tin component of amalgam restorations: a case report.

Amalgam or its components may cause type IV hypersensitivity reactions on the oral mucosa. Majority of the reported cases involved a delayed hypersensitivity to mercury. A case of bilateral oral lichenoid reaction is presented, which was present in relation to amalgam restorations. Histopathological features were compatible with lichenoid mucositis. Patch test was positive with pulverized amalgam and tin. The lesion healed up after replacement of restorations with an intermediate restorative material. The clinician should be aware of all possible pathological etiologies of white lesions. If there is any doubt about the nature or management of an unusual oral lesion, referral to appropriate specialists is mandatory.

Exacerbation of oral lichen planus lesions during treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

It is estimated that 170-200 million people in the world are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. This fact indicates that the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C virus infection are a priority in public health care. To date, the best treatment consists of the combination of pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin. IFN is costly and associated with low tolerance and severe side effects. Ribavirin is also problematic because it causes secondary anemia in most patients. It has been described that oral lichen planus (OLP) can appear or be exacerbated during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The improvement of the lesions of OLP after the discontinuation of therapy suggests that IFN may induce or worsen these lesions in some patients. This study examines three cases of exacerbation of OLP during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated IFN and ribavirin.

Local adverse effects of amalgam restorations.

Amalgam has been used for the restoration of teeth for well over 100 years, and is the most successful of the direct restorative materials with respect to longevity. Despite the increasing use of tooth-coloured materials, with advantages of aesthetics and adhesion, amalgam is one of the most widely used dental restorative materials. One of the principal disadvantages of amalgam, apart from aesthetics, is that it may have adverse biological effects, both locally and systemically. Locally, it can cause an erythematous lesion on the adjacent oral soft tissues (tongue and buccal mucosa), and systemically free mercury in the amalgam may give rise to a hypersensitivity reaction. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature concerning the local adverse reactions to dental amalgam. The focus will be on the reactions of the oral mucosa, and brief consideration will be given to laboratory cytotoxicity of dental amalgam and its components, and to the 'amalgam tattoo'.

Clinical evaluation of medications on oral and dental health.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of medications on oral and dental health on a group of dental patients taking drugs regularly. METHODS: The study comprised two groups, the medication group included 328 dental patients regularly taking medication and the control group of 201 dental patients who took no medication. The patients were questioned about occurrence of self-reported oral dryness and were evaluated for the occurrence of any oral mucosal lesions, gingival recession, bleeding and enlargement, alveolar bone resorption, dental caries, any restorations and missing teeth were recorded. Data were statistically analysed with chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between medication and control groups for oral mucosal lesions, gingival recession and enlargement but a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the groups for oral dryness and gingival bleeding. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the groups for dental caries, amalgam, fixed and removable prosthetic restorations and missing teeth. CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant difference for self-reported oral dryness and gingival bleeding and these factors may have been influenced by the increased rate of missing teeth and prosthetic restorations in the medication group.