Topical Betamethasone and Clobetasol in Orabase in Oral Lichen Planus

Overview

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease characterized by pain and burning sensation. The major types of OLP are the following: reticular, atrophic, erosive-ulcerative, bullous and pigmentous form.Its etiology remains unclear. The presence of auto-cytotoxic T cell clones in the lesions suggests the role of autoimmunity. Numerous treatment options of OLP include topical and systemic agents depending on severity of lesions . Topical corticosteroids abide the mainstay of therapy,and are widely accepted as the primary treatment of choice.Hence this study is designed to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of topical Clobetasol 0.05% in orabase and Betamethasone 0.05% in orabase in combination with Clotrimazole 1% in the management of symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus.

Patients of either sex, irrespective of age attending the Department of Oral Medicine \& Radiology, Panineeya Mahavidhyalaya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad who are clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with Oral Lichen Planus shall be included in the study group after obtaining an informed consent from the patients. Study design: Prospective study. Sample size: A total of 30 patients will be randomly divided into 2 groups with 15 patients in each group. Methodology: 30 patients who are diagnosed with Oral Lichen Planus by clinical and histopathological examination will be randomly assigned into 2 drug groups and burning sensation will be assessed by VAS Scale and also clinical improvement will be assessed at interval of 1 week till 4 weeks. GROUP A: This group of patients will receive topical Clobetasol 0.05% in orabase and Clotrimazole 1%. GROUP B: This group of patients will receive topical Betamethasone 0.05% in orabase and Clotrimazole 1%. Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients with Oral Lichen Planus, who are willing to participate in the study. 2. Patients who are physically healthy and well oriented in time, space and as a person. 3. Patients clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with Oral Lichen Planus. 4. Patients with symptoms i.e. pain and burning sensation due to oral lichen planus. Exclusion Criteria : 1. Patients with Oral Lichen Planus, who are not willing to participate in the study. 2. Patients with any other mucosal disease or any other skin disease which may be associated with oral lesions. 3. Patients with a known allergy or contraindication to study medications. 4. Patients with systemic diseases, where steroids are contraindicated. 5. Pregnant women.