title: Diclofenac in hyaluronic acid gel: an alternative treatment for actinic cheilitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a precancerous lesion of the lip vermillion caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of AC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with chronic AC were treated twice a day with topical diclofenac during a period of 30 to 180 days. The individuals were followed up every 15 days by means of clinical examination and digital photographic documentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 27 patients that completed the study, 12 (44%) showed complete remission of the whitish plaques and exfoliative areas, and 15 (56%) had partial remission of the clinical picture of cheilitis. The latter group was submitted to excision of the leukoplakic areas which diagnosis varied from mild to moderate epithelial dysplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest a promising role for diclofenac in hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of AC. This treatment has the advantages of not being invasive and showing few side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giana da Silveira
authors.initials: Gda S
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Gabriela Ferrari da
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ana Paula Neutzling
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Lenita Maria Aver
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: Fernanda Gonçalves
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Salum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007971:Leukoplakia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005782:Gels; D004008:Diclofenac; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid