Frequency of oral lichen planus in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

The association between diabetes mellitus and lichen planus [LP], especially oral lichen planus, has been the subject of much research but the conclusion is controversial. The reported frequency of oral LP in diabetes mellitus varies from 1.6% to 85%. To determine the frequency of oral lichen planus in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus as compared with normal subjects. Freshly registered cases of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with suspected lesions of oral lichen planus, fulfilling the selection criteria, belonging to both sexes, aged 40-70 years were enrolled. After an informed consent, enrolled patients were examined following a detailed history and were subjected to biopsy and histopathology. Any relevant investigations were performed where required. An equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were also studied for oral LP. 86 patients comprising 49 [57%] females and 37 [43%] males, aged 40 to 70 years, mean age being 51.3 years, were studied in three age groups i.e. 40-50 years, 51-60 years and >60 years. Among these patients 8 [6.9%] had histopathologically confirmed oral lichen planus [P<0.05]. Only 1 [1.2%] subject from the control group had the histopathologically confirmed disease. There were 5 females [62.5%] and 3 males [37.5%]. Buccal mucosa was involved in 7 patients [87.5%]. Oral lichen planus has a significant association with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus as compared to normal population