Fluticasone propionate spray and betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthrinse: a randomized crossover study for the treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP) has been palliated with a wide spectrum of topical and systemic therapies. Although the majority of management strategies include corticosteroids, few have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the acceptability and efficacy of topical fluticasone propionate spray (FP) and betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthrinse (BSP) upon the signs and symptoms of OLP, assessing patient quality of life changes as a consequence of these therapies.


METHODS
We implemented a randomized, crossover study in which each drug was administered for a period of 6 weeks with an intervening washout period of 2 weeks at an outpatient oral medicine unit in London, United Kingdom. We treated 48 patients with biopsy-proven symptomatic OLP, and 44 patients (92%) completed the study. The dosage was 50 microg two dose unit sprays and BSP 500 microg, each 4 times daily. Symptomatic improvement was evaluated by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS), the McGill pain score, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), and Oral Health Quality of Life (OHQoL) questionnaires. The total surface area of the lesions, including all white, erythematous, and ulcerative lesions was measured at each visit. The efficacy, ease of application, and adverse effects associated with each medication were recorded.


RESULTS
Both FP and BSP mouthwash caused both a statistically significant reduction in painful symptoms as measured by the VAS and improvement in quality of life as measured by the OHIP and OHoQL indices. There was no significant difference between the two corticosteroids in their efficacy in reducing painful symptoms (measured by the VAS) or in their effect on patient quality of life. Both FP and BSP significantly reduced the surface area of oral lesions. However, FP was statistically significantly better than BSP in reducing lesion surface area. There was no statistically significant difference between the patient-assessed effects of the 2 therapies.


CONCLUSIONS
FP and BSP are both effective in the short-term clinical management of symptomatic OLP. FP is more acceptable to patients than BSP because of the convenience of the spray form.
Unit of Oral Medicine, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University of London, London.
A M
AM
Hegarty
T A
TA
Hodgson
J D
JD
Lewsey
S R
SR
Porter
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009909:Oral Health; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life
D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009067:Mouthwashes; C028994:betamethasone sodium phosphate; D001623:Betamethasone; D000068298:Fluticasone