Oral lichen planus in patients with chronic liver diseases

Abstract

Background: The possible increased risk of oral lichen planus (OLP) in patients with chronic liver diseases is a controversial issue.

Patients and methods: We investigated a total of 156 outpatients with known liver diseases for occurrence of OLP. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was proven for 117 patients (75%) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for 16 patients (10.3%). Four patients were coinfected with HCV and HBV. An alcohol-derived hepatic cirrhosis was found in 23 patients (14.7%). Three patients had a biliary cirrhosis and one had a primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients suspected of having OLP were transferred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery where excisional biopsies were taken.

Results: Eight patients had a white alteration of the oral mucosa. OLP was suspected in five of them and was confirmed histologically in four. The alteration of the fifth patient disappeared during continued interferon therapy.

Conclusion: Our results show that there is no increased prevalence of OLP manifestation in patients suffering from HCV infection.