Psychological profile and α‐amylase levels in oral lichen planus patients: A case–control preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate psychological (anxiety, depression, and stress) and salivary (flow and concentration of α-amylase) profile associated with oral lichen planus. Materials and methods:A case-control preliminary study with oral lichen planus patients and age-gender matched controls was conducted. The participants underwent psychological tests (Beck depression and anxiety inventories and perceived stress scale) and saliva collection to determine the unstimulated salivary flow and α-amylase levels at three moments along the day. The data were analyzed statistically using Mann-Whitney, McNemar chi-square and Friedman tests, and the Spearman correlation coefficient. The significance level adopted was 5%.Results: A total of 46 case-control pairs were recruited. There was a significant correlation between anxiety, depression, stress, and oral lichen planus, as well as the stress and decline of salivary α-amylase levels. Higher concentrations of this biomarker were found in the case group thirty minutes post-awakening. Conclusion:The applied psychological tests indicated that factors such as anxiety, depression, and stress were associated with oral lichen planus. Salivary analyses demonstrated a higher concentration of α-amylase thirty minutes post-awakening on individuals with the disease and its decline correlated with stress, suggesting the role of α-amylase as a promising biomarker for future studies.

Depressive Disorder and Dermatological Autoimmune Diseases

“…A study was also published, in which the search for factors common to depressive disorders and lichen planus highlighted two genes (NCAM1 and CD4) identified as common to the pathomechanism of both disorders [ 62 ]. Patients with the oral form of lichen planus were also found to have higher salivary alpha-amylase levels in those with depressive disorders, which may be an interesting further line of research into the risk markers for the development of depressive disorders [ 63 ]. However, the most interesting study from the point of view of inflammatory theory and depressive disorders is the one that found increased levels of stress, mast cells and salivary nitric oxide in patients with depressive disorders and lichen planus [ 64 ].…”

Association between Salivary Cortisol and α-amylase with the Psychological Profile of Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The results of the studies conducted on the association between psychological disorders and OLP are contradictory. Simoura JAdS et al showed a significant correlation between depression, anxiety, and stress, and OLP [42]. The systematic review and metaanalysis by De Porras-Carrique T et al showed a strong association between OLP and mental disorders.…”

Association between Salivary Cortisol and α-Amylase with the Psychological Profile of Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Case–Control Study

“…There are few studies that have investigated salivary α-amylase activity in patients with OLP, and their results are contradictory. The results of the study by Simour JAdS et al showed increased salivary α-amylase activity 30 min after awakening in patients with OLP (determined at three time points) [ 42 ]. Pippi R et al showed no statistically significant difference in daily fluctuation or production of salivary α-amylase between patients with OLP and control subjects (determined at three time points) [ 14 ].…”

“…The results of the studies conducted on the association between psychological disorders and OLP are contradictory. Simoura JAdS et al showed a significant correlation between depression, anxiety, and stress, and OLP [ 42 ]. The systematic review and meta-analysis by De Porras-Carrique T et al showed a strong association between OLP and mental disorders.…”