title: Comparison of topical tacrolimus and clobetasol in the management of symptomatic oral lichen planus: A double-blinded, randomized clinical trial in Sri Lanka.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common, chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa. Although several studies have shown the efficacy of different treatment modalities, a definitive cure has not yet been established. The present trial compares the effectiveness of topically-applied clobetasol and tacrolimus in the symptomatic management of OLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, comparative, double-blind study with 68 patients (43 females, 25 males; mean age: 46.76 years) was undertaken. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 34 patients each to receive topical tacrolimus 0.1% cream or clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream for 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 weeks of treatment, the mean pain score dropped by 1.59 (right) and 1.53 (left) in the tacrolimus group, while in clobetasol group these values were 0.94 and 0.85, respectively. The mean scores for clinical appearance reduced by 1.18 (right) and 1.0 (left) in the tacrolimus group compared with a reduction of 0.5 and 0.26, respectively, in the clobetasol group. These reductions were statistically significant (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that tacrolimus 0.1% cream is an effective alternative to topical steroid and can be considered a first-line therapy in OLP. However, further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment before it is recommended for use in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Pilana Vithanage Kalani Shihanika
authors.initials: PVKS
authors.lastname: Hettiarachchi
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Ruvini Manjula
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hettiarachchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Ruwan Duminda
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Jayasinghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Mohaideen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sitheeque
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013188:Sri Lanka; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D002990:Clobetasol; D016559:Tacrolimus
keywords: clobetasol; mucosal lesion; oral lichen planus; randomized clinical trial; tacrolimus