Clinical Study of Patients with Oral Lichenoid Processes Attending Khanzad Specialized Teaching Center and Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center

Background: Lichen planus is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Oral Lichenoid Reactions (OLRs) comprise a group of lesions with different causative factors such as systemic medication, dental restorative materials, foods, or flavoring agents. Pathologists often group these conditions under the umbrella term of ‘lichenoid processes’. Objective: To provide prevalence and demographic distribution of Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) and OLR among a sample of patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Khanzad Teaching Center and Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center. The diagnosis of patients with OLP and OLR were suspected clinically and histopathologically confirmed. Eighty patients of OLP and OLR have been enrolled from both centers. Detailed case histories and clinical presentations were recorded through a questionnaire. Results: Among those patients, 60 (75.0%) were diagnosed as OLP, and 20 (25.0%) patients diagnosed as OLR. Their mean age ± SD was 49.01 ± 11.22 years. Bilateral buccal mucosa (83.8%) was the most affected sites in both groups. The most common clinical types were reticular (90%), and erosive (33.8%). Only 7 patients (8.8%) had an associated skin lichen planus (SLP). Conclusion: The present study revealed that the buccal mucosa was the most affected site, followed by the tongue and palate. The reticular type was the most common affected type followed by the erosive type. Keywords: Oral lichenoid processes, oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid reactions, skin lichen planus