Introduction

Recent data says that the skin has links with metabolic syndrome in various morbid conditions, including lichen planus.

Material and methods

We conducted a controlled study on a group of 36 patients (18 with oral lichen planus and 18 with other oral disorders) in order to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Following variables were analyzed: age, sex of patients, clinical forms of oral lichen planus, lipid profile, basal glucose, fasting insulinemia and the peripheral insulin resistance was estimated by calculating HOMA-IR and Castelli atherogenic index.

Results

Dyslipidemia was present in 88.8% of patients. Its prevalence in patients with LPO was 50% (9 cases) and the control subjects 38,8% (7 cases). Type 2 diabetes and basal hyperglycemia were present in 5 cases (27.7%) with LPO, compared to only 3 cases (16.6%) with fasting hyperglycemia in the control group. Insulinemia value was amended in 3 LPO patients (16.6%) and 1 patient (5.5%) in the control group. Castelli index was pathological in 11.1% (2 cases) of patients with LPO and 5.5% (1 case) of patients of the control group and the peripheral resistance to insulin, HOMA-IR measured have pathological values > 3.80 to 3 LPO patients (16.6%) vs. 1 patient (5.5%) in the control group.

Conclusions

The study confirms previously reported data in the literature on a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with oral lichen planus and therefore a higher risk for cardiovascular morbidity.