Oral Lichen Planus: A Cross-Sectional/Descriptive Study of 33 Patients

Oral lichen planus (OLP), a well-known entity, is often neglected; however, its assessment is considered essential for evolving future strategies for treatment. Thirty-three patients with OLP from 200 consecutive patients with oral mucosal lesions were studied according to demography. Tobacco chewing, smoking, and alcohol intake were recorded. Examination of the oral cavity, using a head light and tongue depressor, was undertaken to define the morphology of the lesion(s). Colored photographs were an essential part of the process. OLP, a frequently encountered manifestation of oral mucosal lesions, was responsible for 16.50% of the total number of lesions. There was a preponderance of lesions in women aged 40 to 59 years, in contrast to men in the same age group. The duration of the lesions was variable, and tobacco chewing/smoking and amalgam fillings might have exacerbated them. Morphology ranged from a reticular, erythematous pattern to an erosive one. The diagnosis is largely clinical, but it can be confirmed by histopathology.