The profile of hematinic deficiencies in patients with oral lichen planus: a case-control study

Abstract

Background Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common mucocutaneous disorder, and its causative factors and pathogenesis are not fully understood. Existing studies on the association between hematinic deficiencies and OLP are limited and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the hematinic deficiencies in a cohort of OLP patients and evaluate the correlation between hematinic deficiencies and OLP. Methods A total of 236 OLP patients and 226 age-and-gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of hemoglobin (Hb), serum folate, vitamin B12 and ferritin were measured and compared between OLP patients and healthy controls. An REU (reticular/hyperkeratotic, erosive/erythematous, ulcerative) scoring system was adopted and compared between the OLP patients with and without hematinic deficiencies. The correlation between hematinic deficiencies and OLP was analyzed. Results The frequencies of serum ferritin and vitamin B12 deficiency in OLP patients were both significantly higher than those of the healthy controls. According to gender and age, the profiles of hematinic deficiencies in OLP patients were significantly different. As for the REU score, no significant difference existed between OLP patients with and without hematinic deficiencies. Both serum ferritin deficiency and serum vitamin B12 deficiency were significantly correlated with OLP. Conclusions The present study suggested a significant association between hematinic deficiencies and OLP. Iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in OLP patients should be monitored routinely. Further studies are warranted to explore the interactions between OLP and hematinic deficiencies.

Diagnostic value of oral “beefy red” patch combined with fingertip blood mean corpuscular volume in vitamin B12 deficiency

“…Due to the rapid renewal, the oral mucosal cells are susceptible to the effects of DNA synthesis disorders related to VB12 deficiency, and oral damage predates neurological symptoms [ 9 – 11 ]. Recently, some studies reported significant VB12 deficiency among symptomatic oral lichen planus patients [ 12 ]. It is challenging for oral medicine specialists to make an early diagnosis for VB12 deficiency.…”

Significantly higher serum levels and positive rates of tumor biomarkers in patients with oral lichen planus

“…Hematinic deficiencies including serum iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 deficiencies are frequently assessed in patients with oral mucosal diseases including OLP. 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 Challacombe found the prevalence of increased hematological abnormality in 103 OLP patients (18/103, P < 0.05). 34 Chen et al.…”

“…Thus, they suggested regularly monitoring the serum iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in OLP patients. 36 On the other hand, ferritin is a protein that stores iron and physiologically releases iron when needed. Ferritin and iron are normally regulated for controlling intracellular iron levels but they are dysregulated in some situations, such as inflammation.…”

Vitamin B12 deficiency may play an etiological role in atrophic glossitis and its grading: A clinical case-control study

“…Therefore, it might be plausible to conclude that serum folate deficiency might be much more common in elderly patients with AG. Significant variations in hematinic deficiencies across different genders and age groups had been demonstrated in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and OLP [ 16 , 17 ]. In the present study, we demonstrated that the frequency of serum ferritin deficiency changed significantly according to the age of AG patients, which is consistent with the findings on RAS and OLP [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Significant variations in hematinic deficiencies across different genders and age groups had been demonstrated in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and OLP [ 16 , 17 ]. In the present study, we demonstrated that the frequency of serum ferritin deficiency changed significantly according to the age of AG patients, which is consistent with the findings on RAS and OLP [ 16 , 17 ]. Moreover, we found that the statistical results for anemia were highly matched to those of vitamin B12 deficiency, both in the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis, which is easily understood as anemia in most patients was directly caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.…”