Association of Oral Epithelial Dysplasia with Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics in Individuals with Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesion.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) are potentially malignant disorders that share clinical and histopathological features. Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is a key indicator of malignant transformation risk in these disorders. This study aimed to investigate possible associations between the severity of OED and sociodemographic variables, hepatitis C infection, and clinical aspects in patients with OLP and OLL. Material and Methods: The sample comprised 65 biopsies from 56 participants with OLP or OLL, classified according to the criteria of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (excluding the absence of OED as a diagnostic criterion for OLP). Data were retrieved from electronic medical records, and photographs taken at the time of biopsy were independently reviewed by two stomatologists and one oral pathologist to classify the clinical patterns. The presence and severity of OED were assessed according to the 2017 World Health Organization system and evaluated independently by two oral pathologists. Results: A statistically significant association was observed between OED severity and patient age (p=0.004). No significant associations were found with sex, skin color, harmful habits, hepatitis C history, clinical pattern, or anatomical site. Conclusions: Older patients were more likely to present moderate/severe OED, highlighting the importance of age as a risk factor for progression in OLP and OLL.