[Evaluation of oral lichen planus frequency in patients referred to the Oral Pathology Department of Isfahan School of Dentistry during the last two decades [1988-2008]]

Lichen planus is a relatively common, chronic mucocutaneous disease with the risk of malignancy. In recent years, there have been increases in the prevalence of oral lichen planus [OLP] and it looks there are some changes in the epidemiologic pattern of this lesion. Despite the existence of different studies about the changes in OLP lesion epidemiology, this study aimed to investigate epidemiologic changes of oral lichen planus in patients referred to the Oral Pathology Department of Isfahan Dental School [1988-2008]. In this descriptive study, archives of the Oral Pathology Department from 1988-2008 was reviewed. Sex, age, location and type of lesion and the referral year were recorded. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with SPSS 11.5 statistical software. A total of 6509 patients had been referred to the Oral Pathology Department, with 238 [3.65%] of cases diagnosed with OLP; 154 [64.7%] of the cases were females. The mean age of OLP patient was 44.8 +/- 12.7 years. Buccal mucosa was most frequently involved [68.1%].An increase in the number of patients and decrease in mean age of the patients with OLP was noted, which might be attributed to population growth and an increase in the number of cases referring to dental practitioners, or more accurate diagnosis in recent years. Therefore, regular follow-up programs are recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of high risk groups

Incidence of cleft lip and palate in Iran. A meta-analysis

To investigate meta-analysis of published data on overall incidence of cleft lip, cleft palate, and cleft lip and palate of newborns in Iran. This meta-analysis was carried out at the School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran between May 2009 and December 2009. Our data were consisted of all incidences of cleft lip and palate from 1978 to June 2009, and we selected 11 studies. Inverse-variance weighting was implemented to calculate the random effect summary estimates and to produce a forest plot. Cumulative meta-analysis on published data was calculated and grouped. Publication bias was checked using both Begg's and Egger's test. Pooled incidence from 11 studies was 1.0/1000 [95% confidence interval: 0.5-1.5]. There was no evidence of publication bias among the 11 studies [p-values for Begg's test was 0.53 and for Egger's test was 0.23]. The incidence of cleft lip and palate in Iran was lower compared to other countries