Time bound evaluation of role of serum zinc level in clinical types of oral lichen planus and its co-relation with associated sign and symptoms

Aims and objectives: The present study aims at evaluation of serum Zn level in study case and controls. The co-relation between serum Zn level and Numerical rating Scale, change in symptoms, modified oral mucositis index in patients with Zn and without Zn has been also assessed by this study.
Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients with erosive lichen planus , non erosive lichen planus and 30 healthy individuals as the control group were recruited in this study. In a patient with clinically and histopathologically confirmed case of oral lichen planus 20mg Zinc (in form of‘zinconia’ tablets) is given once a daily from baseline(0 day), 15 days, 30 days and 45 days. The 5ml bloodfrom each patient is collected at baseline (0 day), 15 days, 30 days and 45 days by venipuncture. The serum Zn level is analysed by Inductively Couple Plasma (ICP) protocol at baseline (0 day), 15 days, 30 days and 45 days.
Results: The serum Zinc level after Zinconia Tab (20 mg) administration once a day at 15 day, 30 days and 45 days are statistically significant(P<<0.001*) to serum Zinc level at base line i.e. as the time of treatment with Zinconia tab increases, the serum level of Zinc increases. The mean serum Zinc level in male and female subjects of study population was statistically non-significant (P<.05) at baseline 0 Days,15 days,30 days,45 days. serum Zinc level at baseline(0 day),15 day,30 day,45 days was statistically non significant(p<.05) i.e after administration of 20 mg Zinconia tab OD in all age group the serum zinc level has no significant difference.
Conclusion: As duration of zinc intake increases, the mean serum zinc level increases and symptoms of pain (NRS) decreases or vice versa in lichen planus. The serum zinc level affects the change in symptoms scale (CSS). The mean serum Zinc level does not affect the degree of erythema in oral lichen planus patients. As the mean serum Zinc level increases from base line (0 day) to 45th day of treatment, the ulceration in study subjects reduces in size and intensity.