Comparative effect of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and clobetasol 0.05% ointment in patients with oral lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered to be an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology that affects the mucosae, especially the oral cavity.


OBJECTIVE
We compared tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and clobetasol 0.05% ointment for the treatment of OLP.


METHODS
A total of 32 patients (20 females and 12 males; all white, Italian origin, mean age of 43.6+/-18.4 years; 16 patients per treatment group) were treated with tacrolimus or clobetasol ointment for 4 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Pain severity, burning sensation, and mucosal lesion extension were assessed using a four-point scale.


RESULTS
At the end of the treatment period, symptom scores were significantly lower in the tacrolimus group than in the clobetasol group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that tacrolimus 0.1% ointment is more effective than clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment in the treatment of OLP. However, other studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment before it can be recommended for use in clinical practice.
Corrocher
Giovanni
G
Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Sezione di Chirurgia Maxillo-Faciale e Odontostomatologia, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy.
Di Lorenzo
Gabriele
G
Martinelli
Nicola
N
Mansueto
Pasquale
P
Biasi
Domenico
D
Nocini
Pier Francesco
PF
Lombardo
Giorgio
G
Fior
Andrea
A
Corrocher
Roberto
R
Bambara
Lisa Maria
LM
Gelio
Stefano
S
Pacor
Maria Luisa
ML
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009823:Ointment Bases; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009823:Ointment Bases; D002990:Clobetasol; D016559:Tacrolimus