Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic value of epicutaneous patch ‎testing in patients with oral lichenoid lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We sought to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of ‎epicutaneous patch testing in patients with oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs).‎ METHODS: Bibliographic searches were conducted in electronic databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane library, ‎EBSCO, Scopus, Web of knowledge and Google scholar from January 1990 to December 2011. Search terms related to ‎some or all of the population, intervention, comparison and outcome components (PICO components) were entered ‎into literature databases. Studies were reviewed with respect to inclusion criteria, and data of patient with oral lichenoid ‎reactions, who underwent patch tests, the results of the tests and the healing processes after replacement therapy were ‎reviewed. Data were analyzed by calculating odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) using Stata software ‎program.‎ RESULTS: 24 studies compared the diagnostic value of patch testing in patients with OLL; 9 studies were included in the ‎meta-analysis. A total of 806 men and women with an age range of 23-84 were evaluated. 16 to 68% of patients had ‎positive patch test results. A total of 443 patients had their restorations replaced, and complete healing ranged from 20 ‎to 93% use expanded form of OLLs at the first time. OR index was 7.8 and 95% CI (3.39-18.38) showed that the ‎chance of recovery of lichenoid lesions in positive patch test patients was 3.4-18.4 times greater than negative patch ‎test patients.‎ CONCLUSION: Patch test has good diagnostic value in replacing restorative dental materials in patients with OLLs.‎