Abstract:
The study highlights some salient epidemiological features of oral lichen planus observed in the South
Indian population. Despite considering the gender ratio in the population, significant preponderance of the
females towards this disease. It is mostly found in the buccal mucosa and the reticular form is most
predominant (p<0.0001). All forms of OLP have been observed here with inflammatory infiltration form
reigning in almost all the cases. Total WBC count, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts are significantly greater in
the OLP patients than in the corresponding sex and age matched normal population. The difference in the ESR
values of the female OLP patients with the normal females is highly significant (p<0.0001). The increase in
eosinophil count in the adult males aged 30-60 years is significantly high compared to such non-diseased
males. The decrease in haemoglobin level in the OLP patients do not vary to a significant level though. The
alteration in the haematological parameters is of pertinent medical implication which has so far not been
looked into.