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Evaluating and treating patients with oral lichen planus
Author(s) -
Eisen Drore
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2002.01529.x
Subject(s) - medicine , oral lichen planus , dermatology , psoriasis , concomitant , refractory (planetary science) , incidence (geometry) , limiting , surgery , mechanical engineering , physics , astrobiology , optics , engineering
Lichen planus (LP) is a relatively common disorder with a reported incidence approximating that of psoriasis. Unlike cutaneous lesions, which in the majority of instances are self‐limiting, oral lesions are chronic and are a potential source of significant morbidity. Furthermore, compared to cutaneous lesions, oral lesions are more difficult to control and are often refractory to therapy. Patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) frequently have concomitant disease in one or more extraoral sites and therefore require a thorough evaluation to uncover all affected sites of involvement. Genital involvement, which develops in approximately 20% of women patients with OLP, and esophageal involvement may result in scarring if undetected and not treated appropriately. Since no therapy for OLP is curative, the primary goal for symptomatic patients is palliation. Relief can be achieved in the majority of patients with topical corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunomodulatory topical agents. Infrequently patients require the prolonged use of systemic medications to control the disorder. All treatments are nonspecific and directed at eliminating inflammation, and therefore are only partially successful.