SYSTEMIC STEROID SPARING IMMUNOMODULATORS IN MANAGEMENT OF ORAL LICHEN PLANUS- A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction: To assess the effectiveness of systemic steroid sparing immunomodulators in management of oral lichen planus. Aim: Objective of the study is to identify, appraise and assess evidence on effectiveness of systemic steroid sparing immunomodulators in treatment of oral lichen planus and as an alternative to reduce the side effects of systemic corticosteroids. An Electronic search of the following database was performed: PubMed - Mesh, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, science direct,Google scholar and hand search. Articles were selected if they were studies which evaluated the effects of systemic steroid sparing immunomodulators in oral lichen planus. The electronic and hand search of studies published until September 2019, yielded a total of 7 articles, out of which 3 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected.Data extraction and collection from the included studies was conducted by the primary author and reviewed by the second author. Information collected included the sample size and population, study design, intervention and control procedures, comparisons and outcome measures.Literature based evidence states that systemic steroid sparing immunomodulators reduces the side effects of systemic corticosteroids as a long term management is required for oral lichen planus and they are effective in recalcitrant oral lichen planus cases.