Oral Manifestations, Gingival Index and Dental State of Vesiculobullous Diseases

Objective: To determine the occurrence of oral manifestations, gingival index, dental state and associated therapeutic aspects in patients with vesiculobullous diseases. Study design: Prospective and observational study conducted with 69 patients from May 2013 to May 2014 at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of the Clinical Hospital, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil. Data were analyzed for frequency in absolute values, percentage and correlation using the Chi-square test. Results: 84.1% of the patients had oral manifestations of vesiculobullous diseases (p = 0.001); 25% had gingival lesions; 18.2% had lesions in the buccal mucosa, and 17.6% in the lips, with no correlation between the location and the type of disease (p = 0.990). Among all patients with bullous pemphigoid, linear IgA dermatosis, and mucous membrane pemphigoid, 59 (93.6%) patients had gingival inflammation of dental origin but without significant correlation (p = 0.42). There was correlation between pemphigus vulgaris and periodontal disease (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Gingival inflammation seems to interfere negatively with the clinical course of these diseases. Further studies should be conducted to better clarify the interrelations between dental and gingival state, and between vesiculobullous diseases and oral involvement.