Characteristics of oral lichen in the Croatian population

Oral lichen ruber (OLR) is a chronic, recurrent disease with a worldwide prevalence of 0.9%-2.2%. In Croatia, the disease has been on a constant increase over the last 10 years, and its prevalence has reached the upper limit. The aim of the study was to identify OLR specificities in a Croatian population. The study included 100 subjects, 84 women and 16 men, mean age 53 +/- 13.88 years, with recurrent OLR. Results showed a four-fold prevalence of OLR in women as compared to men. In women, the disease was found to develop later than in men. Oral changes indicated the reticular form of the disease in 62% and erosive in 33%, whereas all other types were present in 5% of study subjects. Systemic disorders underlying OLR were found in 93% of study patients, predominantly isolated or in combination. Pathologic values of laboratory tests were recorded in 23% of study subjects. Significant differences were obtained in OLR associated with gastritis and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05), and with gastritis and cholecystopathy (p < 0.001). Increased values of bilirubin (p < 0.01), triglycerides (p < 0.01) and blood glucose (p < 0.001) were recorded in men. The level of total lipids was significantly higher in OLR associated with cholecystopathy (p < 0.05). Accordingly, the occurrence of OLR in the Croatian population was found to be most commonly associated with the hepatobiliary system diseases, followed by gastric disorders and diabetes mellitus.