The Evaluation of Psychosocial Factors Associated with Oral Lichen Planus

Background: Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous disease that often affects the oral mucosa.However, the exact etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear, there are reports about the association between Oral Lichen Plans (OLP) and immunological disorders and psychological factors. The role of psychosocial factors especially depression and anxiety in oral lichen planus is debated. This study was done to determine the association of these factors in oral lichen planus. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done in department of oral medicine of Zahedan University of Dentistry from May 2007 to May 2008. One hundred and sixty patients were evaluated in three groups of OLP, negative control and positive control using Beck Anxiety (BAI), Beck Depression (BDI) and Stress Life Event Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mann-Whitney showed that oral lichen planus patients and positive controls had significantly higher stress, anxiety and depression levels than the negative controls (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found in stress, anxiety and depression level between the oral lichen planus and positive control population (P >0.05). Conclusions: It seems that psychosocial factors may have role in the causation of oral lichen planus. These factors may form a starting point for initiation of various autoimmune reactions, which have been shown to be contributory to the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus.