Upper gastrointestinal findings in oral lichen planus.

Background/aims: Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Oral mucosa is known to be frequently affected by the disease, but it has also been observed that gastrointestinal mucosas are sometimes involved.

Methods: In this study, the upper gastrointestinal tract was investigated endoscopically and histopathologically in 20 patients with oral lichen planus.

Results: Endoscopy determined antral gastritis in seven patients, esophagitis in four, bulbitis in three, chronic duodenal ulcer in one and esophageal sphincter dysfunction in one patient. Lichen planus-like changes on the esophageal mucosa at histopathological examination were found in one patient. Findings in the other patients were as follows: chronic atrophic gastritis (nine), helicobacter pylori infection (nine), esophagitis (two), bulbitis (two) and erosive gastritis (one).

Conclusion: Patients with Lichen planus should be evaluated for possible gastro-intestinal involvement with endoscop.