Background: Limited research has assessed the severity of fibrotic connective tissue in oral lichen planus (OLP) and its potential correlation with trismus, a clinical manifestation observed in some patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of fibrosis in individuals diagnosed with OLP.
Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 26 biopsy samples of oral lichen planus (OLP), focusing on the reticular and erosive forms. Only lesions from the buccal mucosa were included to avoid histological variability. Densities of collagen, inflammation, and blood vessels were assessed by light microscopy of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)- stained slides. Measurements of the fibrotic band were obtained from photographs. Data analysis utilized the Mann-Whitney test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test in SPSS software version 27, with a significance level set at α = 0.05
Results: The mean thickness of the subepithelial fibrotic band in samples of reticular oral lichen planus was 957.11±588. 71micrometers.The mean thickness of subepithelial fibrotic tissue in samples of erosive oral lichen planus was 1155.75 ± 810.41 micrometers. No significant difference in the thickness of subepithelial fibrotic tissue was observed between reticular and erosive oral lichen planus samples (p = 0.426).
Conclusion: Fibrotic changes associated with oral lichen planus are not related to clinical subtype, inflammation, or blood vessel density. It is recommended to conduct additional studies, particularly involving OLP patients presenting with clinical trismus, to enhance the understanding of this phenomenon.