Efficacy of injectable platelet-rich fibrin in the erosive oral lichen planus: a split-mouth, randomized, controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Abstract Objective Our study compared the effects of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) with those of corticosteroids in the treatment of erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP). Methodology This split-mouth study included 24 individuals diagnosed histopathologically with bilateral EOLP. One bilateral lesion was injected with i-PRF, whereas the other was injected with methylprednisolone acetate in four sessions at 15-day intervals. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction, oral health impact profile scale-14, and the lesion size were used. Results The intragroup comparisons showed a significant decrease in VAS-pain and lesion size in both the i-PRF group (from 81.88±17.74 to 13.33±18.34, and from 4.79±0.41 to 1.88±1.08, respectively) and the corticosteroid group (from 80.21±17.35 to 23.33±26.81, and from 4.71±0.46 to 2.21±1.35, respectively) in the 6th month compared to baseline (p<0.001). Moreover, VAS-satisfaction increased significantly in both the i-PRF group (from 26.67±17.8 to 85.63±16.24) and the corticosteroid group (from 28.33±17.05 to 74.38±24.11) in the 6th month compared to baseline (p<0.001). However, no significant difference in any value occurred in the intergroup comparisons. Conclusion In patients with EOLP, both methods decreased pain and lesion size similarly, and both increased satisfaction. Therefore, the use of i-PRF may be considered an option in cases refractory to topical corticosteroid therapy. Biochemical and histopathological studies are required to reveal the mechanism of i-PRF action in EOLP treatment.