Oral and Systemic Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Exploring the Association

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with variety of clinical and oral mucosal presentations. Our study aimed to record all those oral pathological changes which occur in patients of SLE and observe the associations between the clinical signs and oral disease status. METHODOLOGY: Present study was conducted in Rheumatology Department of Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan. Consecutive sampling was done, and 130 diagnosed patients with SLE of both genders and all ages were recruited in the study after getting written informed consent. Patients with any comorbid conditions were excluded from the study. Detailed clinical and oral examinations were performed, and relevant disease findings were recorded. Associations between oral and clinical manifestations were computed through chi-squared test of significance keeping the confidence level at 95%. RESULTS: Out of 130 patients, 115 were females and 15 were males. Mean age of patients reported with SLE was 31.65 ± 9.5 years. Arthritis was the most common clinical finding followed by photosensitivity. Among the oral pathologies, oral ulcers, xerostomia, gingivitis, glossitis, mucositis, gingival bleeding, and hyperplasia were observed. Nephritis was associated with most oral manifestations, followed by psychosis, hair loss and skin rash. CONCLUSIONS: SLE has a strong component of oral mucosal pathologies. The most common skin findings were rash, followed by photosensitivity and arthritis. Commonest oral manifestation was oral ulceration present and past. Significant associations were found between certain oral and systemic manifestations. KEYWORDS: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Oral, Ulcer