Anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in male and female oral lichen planus patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Our previous study found that 21.9 %, 13.6 %, 7.1 %, 0.3 %, and 14.8 % of 352 oral lichen planus (OLP) patients have anemia, serum iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia, respectively. This study mainly evaluated the anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in 110 male and 478 female OLP patients.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The blood hemoglobin (Hb) and serum iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine levels in 110 male and 478 female OLP patients were measured and compared with the corresponding levels in 110 male and 478 female healthy control subjects, respectively.

RESULTS

We found that 110 male OLP patients had significantly lower mean blood Hb and serum folic acid levels than 110 male healthy control subjects. Moreover, 478 female OLP patients had significantly lower mean blood Hb and serum iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels and significantly higher mean serum homocysteine level than 478 female healthy control subjects. In addition, 110 male OLP patients had significantly higher mean blood Hb and serum iron levels, significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, a significantly higher frequency of folic acid deficiency, and significantly lower frequencies of blood Hb and serum iron deficiencies than 478 female OLP patients.

CONCLUSION

The male OLP patients do have significantly higher mean blood Hb and serum iron levels, significantly lower mean serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, a significantly higher frequency of folic acid deficiency, and significantly lower frequencies of blood Hb and serum iron deficiencies than female OLP patients.