THE IMPACT OF PATIENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS ON THE COURSE OF ORAL LICHEN PLANUS (A LITERATURE REVIEW)

  2. 2026
  3. THE IMPACT OF PATIENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS ON THE COURSE OF ORAL LICHEN PLANUS (A LITERATURE REVIEW)

Petrushanko T. O., Ilenko N. M., Boychenko O. M., Ilenko-Lobach N. V.

THE IMPACT OF PATIENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS ON THE COURSE OF ORAL LICHEN PLANUS (A LITERATURE REVIEW)

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About the author:

Petrushanko T. O., Ilenko N. M., Boychenko O. M., Ilenko-Lobach N. V.

Heading:

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

Oral lichen planus (OPL) is a chronic inflammatory-dystrophic condition, the course of which is inextricably linked to the patient’s psychological state. Scientific data indicate that psychosocial factors play a key role as triggers for the onset of the condition and as causes of its frequent relapses. In particular, levels of anxiety and depression in such patients are significantly higher than in the general population: anxiety is diagnosed in 52.7%– 54.76% of cases, and depressive states in 31.19%–49.3% of patients. The link between emotional state and CLP has a deep biological basis. The basis of immunopathogenesis lies in cell-mediated cytotoxicity, which is influenced by the state of the central nervous system via the serotonergic system and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, IL-17). Furthermore, dysbiosis of the oral microbiota may affect the ‘brain-gut’ axis, which further triggers mood disorders and correlates with the progression of all clinical forms of the disease. Clinical observations confirm that the severity of chronic low-grade fever is directly correlated with the level of psychological stress. Patients with a severe course of the disease have higher levels of physical pain, social maladjustment and significant sleep disturbances. Women, particularly during the perimenopausal period, demonstrate greater vulnerability to stress and a predisposition to developing these conditions. The dentist plays a key role in the management of patients with lichen planus (LP), as they are on the ‘front line’ of care for patients with oral diseases. Their role lies not only in treating the physical manifestations of the disease, but also in identifying underlying psychological disorders that directly influence the course of the condition. Diagnosis remains a significant challenge: patients often conceal psychological disorders due to fear of stigmatisation or regard them as a natural reaction to everyday problems. Amid the prolonged stress caused by the war in Ukraine, the prevalence of oral mucosal diseases is rising, necessitating an update to treatment approaches that must take mental health into account

Tags:

anxiety, depression, lichen planus, oral cavity, stress

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 2, 181, 103-108 pages, index UDC 616.516:616.8-085

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-2-181-103-108

2026 Issue 2, 181
anxiety depression lichen planus oral cavity stress
27.05.2026
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