K Sridharan1, G Sivaramakrishnan2. 1. Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. 2. Department of Dental Training, Ministry of Health, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, vitamin D, photodynamic therapy, herbal drugs are some of the interventions tried in clinical trials for treating oral lichen planus. We carried out the present network meta-analysis to compare the above-mentioned interventions. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials evaluating interventions in patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus. Clinical resolution, clinical score, pain resolution, pain score, and adverse effects were the outcomes evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-five (2831 patients) trials were included. Corticosteroids (OR: 13.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 155.4), pimecrolimus (OR: 14.7; 95% CI: 1.7, 125), purslane (OR: 18.4; 95% CI: 3.5, 97), and ozonized water/corticosteroids (OR: 52; 95% CI: 1.4, 1882.6) had better rates of clinical resolution compared to placebo. Corticosteroids (OR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.2, 8.43), ozonized water/corticosteroids (OR: 9.9; 95% CI: 2.7, 36.2), aloe vera (OR: 13; 95%: 1.5, 111.8), pimecrolimus (OR: 18.8; 95% CI: 2, 177.4) and hyaluronic acid (OR: 24.8; 95% CI: 1.3, 457.6) were significantly associated with superior rates of pain resolution compared to placebo. Pimecrolimus and cyclosporine were associated with significantly higher risk of adverse effects than placebo. CONCLUSION: Topical corticosteroids were the most effective drug class for treating oral lichen planus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topical corticosteroids should be the first-line drugs for treating oral lichen planus. Although topical pimecrolimus and cyclosporine are effective, significant adverse effects might be a limitation.
BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, vitamin D, photodynamic therapy, herbal drugs are some of the interventions tried in clinical trials for treating oral lichen planus. We carried out the present network meta-analysis to compare the above-mentioned interventions. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials evaluating interventions in patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus. Clinical resolution, clinical score, pain resolution, pain score, and adverse effects were the outcomes evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-five (2831 patients) trials were included. Corticosteroids (OR: 13.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 155.4), pimecrolimus (OR: 14.7; 95% CI: 1.7, 125), purslane (OR: 18.4; 95% CI: 3.5, 97), and ozonized water/corticosteroids (OR: 52; 95% CI: 1.4, 1882.6) had better rates of clinical resolution compared to placebo. Corticosteroids (OR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.2, 8.43), ozonized water/corticosteroids (OR: 9.9; 95% CI: 2.7, 36.2), aloe vera (OR: 13; 95%: 1.5, 111.8), pimecrolimus (OR: 18.8; 95% CI: 2, 177.4) and hyaluronic acid (OR: 24.8; 95% CI: 1.3, 457.6) were significantly associated with superior rates of pain resolution compared to placebo. Pimecrolimus and cyclosporine were associated with significantly higher risk of adverse effects than placebo. CONCLUSION: Topical corticosteroids were the most effective drug class for treating oral lichen planus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topical corticosteroids should be the first-line drugs for treating oral lichen planus. Although topical pimecrolimus and cyclosporine are effective, significant adverse effects might be a limitation.