Periodontal Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Reticular and Nonreticular Oral Lichen...

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that may affect oral health parameters. This study examined the relationships between periodontal status, dental health, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with reticular and nonreticular OLP.

This cross-sectional observational study included 112 patients from the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery with histopathologically confirmed OLP. Periodontal status was assessed using the periodontal screening index (PSI), dental health was assessed using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index, and OHRQoL was assessed using the German Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14). Patients were stratified into reticular and nonreticular OLP groups. Analyses were exploratory and based on group comparisons and correlation statistics.

Patients with nonreticular OLP demonstrated significantly higher PSI scores than those with reticular OLP (p < 0.01), indicating poorer periodontal health. DMFT scores did not differ between groups. OHRQoL was significantly impaired in patients with nonreticular OLP (OHIP-14: 15.55 ± 10.60 vs. 11.06 ± 10.88; p = 0.02). The OHIP-14 showed a moderate association with the PSI and a weak association with the DMFT.

The clinical subtype of OLP is associated with differences in periodontal status and OHRQoL. Further longitudinal studies are required. These findings suggest that oral health conditions may be worth considering in the clinical management of OLP patients.

The study was prospectively registered (Ref. No. 2019-033.f-S) in accordance with institutional ethical requirements.