Comparision of the serum level of CEA and IgG in lichenoid reactions before and after treatment with topical corticosteroids

Abstract

Background: Lichen planus, is considered as a premalignant condition with an unknown etiology. The aim of the present study was to determine the CEA and IgG serum levels in different oral lichenoid lesions before and after treatment with local corticosteroids.

Methods: Two groups of 23 individuals including oral ulcerative lichenoid lesions patients (OULP)and healthy ones were evaluated. Toluidine blue and biopsy were carried out while VAS (Visual Analog Scale) was used for an evaluation of symptoms. By applying local corticosteroids, CEA and IgG serum levels were determined before, three weeks after, and at the end of the study (9 weeks) with ELISA and turbidimetry methods respectively.

Results: before the intervention there was no statistically significant difference in the CEA serum level between the control and case groups (p=0.19). Moreover, the CEA serum level indicated no significant difference before and after treatment among the case group (p=0.30). While IgG serum level was significantly higher before the intervention (p=0.01), it was decreased significantly in the case group after treatment (p=0.02). In addition, pain intensity was reduced significantly in the case group(p=0.05). According to statistics, 8.2% out of 21.7% of patients with positive staining results exhibited dysplasia signs. However, neither CEA nor IgG serum level was different in patients diagnosing with or without dysplasia, positive or negative staining results (p>0.05).

Conclusion: IgG serum level and pain severity were effectively decreased among the OULP treated with local corticosteroids. This treatment can be considered as an effective and low-complication treatment modality for lichenoid lesions.