Evaluation of anxiety and salivary cortisol level in patients with oral lichen planus

Abstract

  Evaluation of anxiety and salivary cortisol level in patients with oral lichen planus

  

  

  Dr. Ghalyani P .,¹ Dr. Tavangar A .²

  ^{1 Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Isfahan, Iran. 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Isfahan, Iran.}

 

  (Received 19 July, 2009 Accepted 21 April, 2010)

  

  Abstract

  

  Background and Aim : Lichen planus is a common chronic inflammatory disease of skin and oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to determine the stress score and mean salivary cortisol level in patients with oral lichen planus.

  Materials and Methods : Samples were divided into two groups. The experimental group had 20 patients having oral lichen planus and control group with 20 individuals without any oral lesions. In order to determine the stress score, the Kattel anxiety scale was used. This scale contains 40 questions about ordinary problems that may be present in daily life. Spitting technique was used for collection of saliva samples in both groups. The samples collected between 9 and 10 AM. They were analyzed for the level of salivary cortisol with enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELIZA) assay. Paired sample T test was used for data analysis.

  Results : The mean level of anxiety state was 6.65 in case group and 5.6 in control group. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.13). The mean level of salivary corlisol in case group was 3.15 and 3.63 in control group. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.16) either.

  Conclusion : The mean salivary cortisol level in patients with oral lichen planus was less than healthy individuals. However, the stress scores in case group was slightly higher than control group. Thus in addition to traditional treatment of OLP patients, psychological treatment may also be needed. This study showed that there was no correlation between salivary cortisol concentration and stress level.

  Key words : Oral lichen planus - Anxiety - Saliva – Hydro cortison.

 

  Corresponding Author : Dr. Tavangar A ., Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Isfahan, Iran.

  

  e.mail: dr.tavangar_at@yahoo.com