Oral lichen planus is associated with lower salivary melatonin levels and poorer sleep quality
OLP patients had significantly lower salivary melatonin levels (p=0.015) and higher scores in the sleep disturbances component of the PSQI (p=0.021) compared to controls. Salivary cortisol levels did not differ between groups (p=0.402).
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Oral lichen planus is associated with lower salivary melatonin levels and poorer sleep quality The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Oral lichen planus is associated with lower salivary melatonin levels and poorer sleep quality
This conclusion is most relevant to: 32 OLP patients and 31 controls.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Association of Sleep Quality, Nutritional Factors, and Salivary Melatonin and Cortisol Levels with Oral Lichen Planus: A Case-Control Study. (Biomedicines, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Sleep disturbances may disrupt melatonin production
- ▸Lower melatonin may reduce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection in oral mucosa
- ▸This imbalance could contribute to OLP pathogenesis
- ▸Result: OLP associated with lower melatonin and poorer sleep
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸32 OLP patients and 31 controls
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Exploratory case-control design cannot establish causality
- ▸Small sample size (32 OLP patients, 31 controls)
- ▸Self-reported sleep quality via PSQI may be subject to recall bias
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main finding of this study?▼
OLP patients had significantly lower salivary melatonin levels and worse sleep quality (specifically sleep disturbances) compared to healthy controls, while cortisol levels did not differ.
How was sleep quality measured?▼
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
Did the study find any dietary differences?▼
Yes, OLP patients had higher consumption of protein, lipids, calories, various fats, cholesterol, iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, and vitamin E compared to controls.
Can this study prove that poor sleep causes OLP?▼
No, this is an observational case-control study, so it can only show associations, not causation. Further research is needed.
References
- 1.Wegner ÉA, Teixeira JS, Rübensam G, Lindholz CG, Salum FG, Cherubini K. “Association of Sleep Quality, Nutritional Factors, and Salivary Melatonin and Cortisol Levels with Oral Lichen Planus: A Case-Control Study..” Biomedicines, 2026. PMID: 42351703 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines14061275