Oral Lichen Planus: Relation with Transaminase Levels and Diabetes

Increase of transaminase levels was reported earlier in patients with oral lichen planus. A study was conducted in the department to assess the liver function status (transaminase levels) in oral lichen planus patients and any influence of diabetes mellitus on such cases. Study was performed on 20 patients with different types of oral lichen planus as a study group and 20 control healthy group. Age and sex was randomly selected. All the patients were subjected to routine blood tests and urine analysis and the estimation of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SCOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels. The values of SCOT and SGPT levels < 40 iulL were considered within normal limits. Seven patients (35%) with oral lichen planus had diabetes mellitus while three (15%) cases of the control group had diabetes mellitus (p = 0.04). Regarding SCOT and SGPT levels, it was elevated in 11(55%) cases and in 2 cases (10%) of the study group and control group respectively (p < 0.001). In relation to the type of oral lichen planus out of 8 erosive cases, 87.5%(7 cases) showed elevated SCOT/SGPT levels out of 12 nonerosive cases. 33.33% (4 cases) showed elevated SCOT/SGPT levels (p < 0.01). We hence conclude that diabetes mellitus and elevated transaminase levels might be related to the development of oral lichen planus lesions. There is a strong association between elevated SCOT/SGPT levels and detection of erosive type of oral lichen planu