Association between oral lichen planus and Candida albicans infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study examines the potential association between Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) and Candida albicans infection, exploring its potential impact on the development of OLP. A meta-analysis of individual case-control studies was performed, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A quality assessment of the literature was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Due to considerable heterogeneity in the selected studies, subgroup analyses were performed based on geographical location and recruitment methods. No significant publication bias was detected. A sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the findings when applying a random-effects model. The meta-analysis included ten studies, comprising 1,124 OLP patients and 1,063 healthy controls. Results indicated a significantly higher detection rate of Candida albicans in OLP patients compared to healthy controls (OR = 1.74, P = 0.003, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.52). Additionally, an increased risk of Candida albicans infection was observed in erosive OLP (E-OLP) patients compared to healthy controls (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 2.31, 6.84, P < 0.00001). These findings suggest a complex interplay between OLP and Candida albicans, highlighting the need for further research to elucidate the varying susceptibilities among different clinical types of OLP. This study provides novel insights for future research directions and clinical treatment strategies in this field.