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Subject Area

Pediatrics

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that affects ~1.9–4% of the population. It occurs more frequently in women, and the immunological system is believed to play a significant role in it. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that contributes to the pathogenesis of OLP. Objectives The objective of the study is to evaluate IL-6 levels in the serum and saliva in patients of OLP compared with healthy controls, aiming to help in the future treatments of OLP. Patients and methods This case–control study was conducted on 20 patients with OLP, and 20 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers, as a control group. Results The results have shown that there was highly statistically significant difference between groups regarding serum IL-6 levels with higher levels among cases (P < 0.001). Conclusion Higher levels of IL-6 in the saliva compared with the serum suggest that measurement of this marker in the saliva may be more useful than the serum for diagnostic and therapeutic aims.

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