Evaluation of Serum Cortisol Level, Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection and Elevated Aminotransferase Enzymes in a Group of Patients with Oral Lichen Planus

Abstract

Objective: Oral Lichen planus (OLP) is a common oral disease that can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including the hepatitis B and C virus (HCV). Stress, as a psychological component, raises cortisol levels, which is linked to a cytokine imbalance that may predispose to the development of autoimmune disorders. An association between OLP and serum cortisol levels has been also widely established. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship of serum cortisol levels, hepatitis B/C virus infections and alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) in patients with oral lichen planus and to compare to healthy controls. Method: Forty adult patients with OLP and 40 age gender matched healthy controls were participated in the study. All patients were subjected to routine blood test and the estimation of serum cortisol levels, detection of anti-HCV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) by using the enzyme immunoassay. The data were statistically analyzed using Student-t, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-Square and Fischer’s Exact test. Results: Serum cortisol level of OLP patients was found to be 13.38±5.93, and that of the control group was 12.80±3.93. The OLP patients’ ALT-AST levels were 19.91±10.66, 20.81±9.85, and those of the control group were 19.91±10.66, 20.81±9.85, respectively. There was no statistical difference of serum cortisol levels, hepatitis B/C virus infections and ALT-AST levels in OLP patient compared to the healthy control group (p>.05). Conclusion: This study identified that there was no association between OLP and healthy controls regarding elevated serum cortisol levels, hepatitis B/C virus infection and aminotransferaze enzymes.