Aim: Lichen planus is a T cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the status of oxidative stress in saliva and the anti-oxidant defense system in relation to quality of life parameters in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).
Methods: The sample consisted of 70 patients (40 with OLP and 30 control patients). The average age of OLP patients was 60 years (9 males and 31 females), and of the control group 57 years (6 males and 24 females). All participants completed the Oral Health Impact Profile-49 quality of life questionnaire. Total anti-oxidant activity and lipid peroxidation products in saliva were evaluated, using ferric reducing anti-oxidant power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance.
Results: Mean levels of salivary malondialdehyde were higher in the OLP group than the control group (P = 0.001), and total anti-oxidant capacity was lower among OLP patients than control patients (P = 0.02). There was no correlation between Oral Health Impact Profile-49 findings and the oxidative stress parameters studied.
Conclusions: The results of the present study point to the possible function of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of OLP.
Keywords: malondialdehyde; oxidative stress; quality of life; saliva.
© 2013 Japan Geriatrics Society.