PSYCHOLOGIC ASPECTS OF PATIENTS WITH ORAL LICHENOID REACTIONS

Psychologic aspects of 49 patients with oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) in contact with amalgam fillings were studied and compared with an ag e- and sex-matched control group. Psychologic factors such as personal ity psychologic functioning, and quality of life were determined by us ing the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP), an additional Personal ity Scale (PS), a Psychological Functioning Scale (PFS), and a Quality of Life Scale (QLS). With regard to personality the OLR patients had significantly higher scores on the muscular tension and suspicion scal es and significantly higher scores on the indirect aggression scale. I n addition. the OLR patients were significantly more worried about the ir health and more helpful. With regard to psychologic functioning the OLR patients had significantly more sad thoughts, became dizzy more e asily, found it harder to imagine themselves free from anxiety, and ha d more difficulty in concentrating. The results indicated that OLR pat ients had a tendency to he depressive. The need for a systemic investi gation including odontologic, medical, and psychologic aspects was exp ressed.