Comparative effect of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and clobetasol 0.05% ointment in patients with oral lichen planus.
Author(s): Corrocher G, Di Lorenzo G, Martinelli N, Mansueto P, Biasi D, Nocini PF, Lombardo G, Fior A, Corrocher R, Bambara LM, Gelio S, Pacor ML
Affiliation(s): Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Sezione di Chirurgia Maxillo-Faciale e Odontostomatologia, Universita di Verona, Verona, Italy.
Publication date & source: 2008-03, J Clin Periodontol., 35(3):244-9.
Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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. PATIENTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
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