Hydroxychloroquine for the management of recalcitrant oral lichen planus.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2024;
137:355-361. [PMID:
38278674 DOI:
10.1016/j.oooo.2023.12.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to describe the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) refractory to conventional therapy.
STUDY DESIGN
In this single-center retrospective study, patients were prescribed HCQ 200 mg twice daily. Pain, reticulation, erythema, and ulceration scores were recorded. Two-sample and paired t tests were used to evaluate mean and paired pain scores and paired t test to determine substantial differences in paired REU scores, at HCQ initiation visit and final follow-up at 12 to 24 months.
RESULTS
Thirty-six patients (69.4% female) with a median age of 70 ± 12.0 (range 48-99) were initiated on HCQ. Only 30 patients were evaluable because pruritus developed in 5 patients (13.9%) and gastrointestinal symptoms in 1 (2.8%). The mean follow-up was 23.2 months (range 1-74). In 19 patients, there was a significant decline in the worst pain score from a mean of 3.9 (SD± 2.8, n = 19) to 1.9 (SD ± 2.4, n = 19) (t = 2.837, P < .006). Paired reticulation, erythema, and ulceration (REU scores) decreased from a weighted mean score of 16.0 (SD ± 8.0, n = 12) to 12.0 (SD ± 6.3, n = 12) (t = 2.07, P < .032).
CONCLUSION
Hydroxychloroquine was a suitable option and effective in reducing symptoms and disease severity in patients with recalcitrant OLP who do not adequately respond to standard therapy.
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