Association of oral lichen planus with hepatitis C virus, surface antigen of hepatitis B virus, and diabetes: A clinical and biochemical study

Background: Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory mucocutaneous disease commonly encountered in the dental clinic. The etiology of oral lichen planus is still unknown. The probable factors associated with oral lichen planus include anxiety, trauma, malnutrition, infection, and autoimmunity. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) autoantibodies in oral lichen planus patients and controls, and to assess the association of oral lichen planus with diabetes, HCV, and HBsAg. Study Design: The study included a total of 25 oral lichen planus patients. Twenty-five individuals who did not have the above clinical conditions were also included in the study and comprised the control group. Both the study and control groups consisted of both sexes in the age group of 20–70 years. Patients were clinically diagnosed as oral lichen planus after obtaining a detailed history and was later confirmed by histopathologic examination. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from both the oral lichen planus patients and controls. Biochemical analysis of blood glucose levels, i.e., fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, HBsAg, hepatitis C autoantibodies were done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Blood glucose levels, i.e., fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, were found to be statistically increased in oral lichen planus patients when compared with controls. There was no significant change in HCV autoantibodies and HBsAg. The results of the present study also showed a significant association of oral lichen planus with diabetes. However, there was no significant association of oral lichen planus with HCV and HBsAg in patients when compared with controls. Conclusion: There was a direct relation of oral lichen planus with diabetes whereas there was no significant association with HCV and HBsAg. However, there was a slight increase in the incidence of HCV in oral lichen planus when compared with controls. Therefore, oral lichen planus patients should be evaluated for the presence of these diseases and vice versa so that it can be diagnosed in early stages and treated accurately