A Comparative Study on the Evaluation of Stress in Patients with Lichen Planus and Normal Healthy Individuals using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

Abstract

Context: Lichen planus is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that frequently involves the oral mucosa and skin. It has been proposed that psychological factors like high stress and anxiety levels have a strong association with lichen planus. Estimation of the stress level in patients with oral lichen planus. Aims: To estimate the stress in patients with Oral Lichen Planus by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-trait anxiety inventory and compare these with normal healthy individuals. Methods and Material: Twenty oral lichen planus patients and twenty normal subjects were included in the study. Every individual gave the hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-trait anxiety inventory. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS software 26. The findings of various parameters were evaluated and analyzed statistically using Mann Whitney U test. Results: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, State-trait anxiety inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 scores were significantly higher in the oral lichen planus group than in normal individuals. Conclusions: Psychological factors like anxiety and depression play a major role in the pathogenesis of OLP, and non-invasive procedures like the Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-trait anxiety inventory scores can be used as a useful indicator to estimate stress levels in OLP patients.