Assessment of salivary malondialdehyde level as oxidative stress marker in oral lichen planus and its correlation with psychological stress

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder influenced by oxidative stress (OS) and psychological factors. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, serves as a reliable non-invasive biomarker of OS, measurable in saliva. While elevated MDA levels have been reported in OLP, limited research has explored its association with psychological stress. This study aimed to assess salivary MDA levels in OLP patients and correlate them with psychological parameters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 25 clinically and histopathologically confirmed OLP patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and analysed for MDA using ELISA. Psychological stress was evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 scale. Data were analysed using an independent t -test and the Karl Pearson correlation coefficient test ( P < 0.05). Results: Mean salivary MDA levels were significantly higher in the OLP group (3.58 ± 1.69 nmol/mL) than in controls (1.73 ± 1.32 nmol/mL) ( P = 0.0001). No significant difference in MDA levels was observed between reticular (3.61 ± 1.46) and erosive (3.54 ± 2.01) OLP types. Psychological scores were significantly elevated in OLP patients, stress 15.12 ± 5.10 ( P < 0.0001), anxiety 9.68 ± 4.61 ( P < 0.0001), depression 13.60 ± 4.40 ( P < 0.0001). However, no significant correlation was found between salivary MDA levels and psychological scores in the OLP group. Conclusion: Salivary MDA is a valid marker of OS in OLP. While psychological stress levels were significantly higher in OLP patients, no direct correlation was found between OS and psychological parameters.