Assessment of Different Treatment Modalities for the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus

Global prevalence of Oral lichen planus is estimated to be 1.01% and 0.49% in Indian context with more predilection for females. A number of factors relating to emotional stability and personality modulation is associated with development of OLP. Patients often relate onset or an exacerbation of their condition to stressful life events. Despite different treatment modalities in use, corticosteroids are still the first line treatment option followed by tacrolimus and curcumin for oral lichen planus, which is a chronic disease with episodes of recurrence and remission.

105 patients were divided into groups of 35 each to receive either triamcinolone acetonide (0.1%), tacrolimus (0.03%), or oral nanocurcumin (500 mg). The patients applied the medication twice daily or took oral preparation twice daily. The patients were followed at 15 days, 1 month, 3 months and after completion of treatment at 6 months and 1 year. Assessment of the appearance score and severity of pain was done and recorded in the patients' questionnaires.

Inter-time comparison of burning sensation between three groups based on treatment modalities showed statistically significant results. Patients in the triamcinolone and tacrolimus groups showed faster rate of healing than nanocurcumin while Nanocurcumin group showed slow rate of healing but there was no relapse at 12-month followup. Decrease in clinical symptoms and burning sensation were seen in all the three groups.

Nanocurcumin can be used for maintenance phase after initial symptomatic treatment of oral lichen planus by conventional treatment modalities.

Further studies with a longer regimen period and follow-up is required.