Oral mucosal lesions in patients with pemphigus and pemphigoid skin diseases: a cross sectional study from Southern India

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients with pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases from Southern India. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted from August 2011 to July 2012. Patients with confirmed pemphigus and pemphigoid skin disease were selected and invited to participate in the study. Diagnostic procedures such as histopathological and immunofluorescence methods were performed to confirm the diagnosis. The results of the study were analyzed by SPSS software version 19.0 and presented as descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (Male 4, Female 26) with autoimmune blistering disease were selected for the present study. 60% (18 out of 30) patients showed oral mucosal manifestations. 46.66% (14 out of 30) presented with Pemphigus, and 53.33%(16 out of 30) patients presented with pemphigoid. The most common subtypes of pemphigus was Pemphigus vulgaris 71% (10 out of 14) among pemphigus, and bullous pemphigoid 87.5%(14 out of 16) among pemphigoid. In pemphigus, buccal mucosa (92.85%) was the most frequent site, and hard palate (12.5%) in pemphigoid. 78.57% of pemphigus, and 12.5% of pemphigoid patients revealed oral mucosa as initial site of disease process. CONCLUSION: The significance of diagnosing the oral lesions in earlier stage in dental practice may help in early intervention of disease and helps to reduce morbidity and mortality. The study also reinforced the multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis.