title: Use of systemic medication in patients with oral lichen planus - a possible association with hypothyroidism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several drugs have been regarded as a possible aetiological factor for oral lichen planus (OLP).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the medication profile of patients with OLP and its possible association with the pathogenesis of OLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 956 patients with OLP and 1029 controls were collected using a standardized registration method. All regular medications were recorded and classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with OLP used thyroid preparations (P < 0.001) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (P < 0.01) in higher proportions compared to controls. A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that levothyroxine was associated with OLP (multivariate OR 3.39, 95% CI: 2.09-5.46, P < 0.001), even after controlling for confounders, including age, sex, smoking, allergies and systemic diseases. No statistical significance could be found between NSAIDs and OLP using the same model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, the use of levothyroxine was associated with OLP, which in turn suggests a possible connection with hypothyroidism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robledo-Sierra
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jontell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult