Evaluation of the efficacy of vitamin D in the treatment of oral lichen planus: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease without a known etiology. Recent studies have indicated the role of vitamin D on immune system and proposed its anti-inflammatory effects. Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on the severity of pain, burning, and lesions of patients with OLP and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) after the intervention. METHODS: 28 patients with OLP with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency participated in this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. They were divided into the two groups of intervention (n = 13) and control (n = 15). Serum levels of TNF-alpha, vitamin D, and IL-6 were assessed before and 8 weeks after the treatment. The intervention and control groups were given one capsule of 50000 units of vitamin D and one placebo capsule weekly for 8 weeks, and they were also examined every other week, in terms of the severity of lesions (Thongprasom Index) and the severity of pain and burning [visual analog scale (VAS)]. The data analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software and statistical tests included independent t-test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U-test, repeated measures test, and Pearson correlation coefficient test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The severity of lesions was significantly reduced in the intervention group (P = 0.043). After the treatment, the mean IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the intervention and control groups compared to pre-treatment conditions (P = 0.005 and P = 0.014, respectively). Moreover, the mean TNF-alpha concentrations significantly decreased only in the intervention group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D reduced the severity of OLP lesions, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Vitamin D can be suggested as adjuvant therapy for patients with OLP; however, further studies are required to confirm these effects.