Oral Lichen Planus and Celiac Disease: is there any Relationship?

Background: Lichen planus is an autoimmune disorder and is associated with other autoimmune diseases. There is, however, little evidence of the association of oral lichen planus with celiac disease. The aim of this work was to investigate, for the first time, such an association in patients in the city of Mashhad, Iran. Methods: This case-control study was performed during October 2017 to March 2018 in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, in Iran. All participants were evaluated for Anti-TTG (IgA) and Total IgA, and in some cases for Anti-TTG IgG. Data were analyzed using SPSS software v.20. Results: A total of 96 subjects were considered in the study; 32 in the case group, and the rest in the control group. The mean value of Anti-TTG IgA was 0.12 ± 1.51 Au/ml in the oral lichen planus group, while it was 0.57 ± 1.20 Au/ml in the control group with no significant difference (P=0.167). The mean value of the Total IgA was 134.96 ± 42.86 mg/dl in the lichen planus group, and it was 129.85 ± 55.28 mg/dl in the control group, as they differ negligibly either (P=0.639). Moreover, celiac disease was not present in the population. Conclusions: We showed that there was no celiac disease present in the oral lichen planus patients as well as healthy subjects. Further studies are required to imply or to rule out the association of oral lichen planus and celiac disease.