Related Experiment Videos
Oral lichen planus and HLA DR
M Ognjenović1, D Karelović, A Cekić-Arambasin
1Clinical Hospital Split, Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Croatia.
Collegium Antropologicum
|February 10, 1999
Summary
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is linked to a significantly higher prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, including diabetes mellitus. This study suggests a potential autoimmune connection, possibly involving HLA DR antigens, in OLP development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Oral Pathology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous condition.
- Etiology involves liver/biliary diseases, stress, inheritance, and carbohydrate metabolism disorders like diabetes mellitus.
- Autoimmune links and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) DR 3/4 antigens are implicated in diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of HLA DR antigens in the development of OLP.
- To determine the prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders and diabetes mellitus in OLP patients.
Main Methods:
- Clinical and histopathological diagnosis of OLP in 50 Croatian patients.
- HLA DR antigen testing in OLP patients and comparison with 1089 controls.
- Oral glucose tolerance tests for patients with elevated blood sugar or specific HLA types.
Main Results:
- Carbohydrate metabolism disorder found in 26% of OLP patients.
- Diabetes mellitus type I identified in 20% of OLP patients.
- This prevalence is 400 times higher than in the general Croatian population.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between OLP and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, particularly diabetes mellitus.
- The findings support the hypothesis of an autoimmune component in OLP, potentially linked to HLA DR antigens.
- Further research into the autoimmune pathogenesis of OLP is warranted.