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Epidemiology of desquamative gingivitis: evaluation of 125 patients and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Lo Russo Lucio,
Fierro Gabriella,
Guiglia Rosario,
Compilato Domenico,
Testa Nunzio Francesco,
Lo Muzio Lorenzo,
Campisi Giuseppina
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04142.x
Subject(s) - medicine , mucocutaneous zone , dermatology , pemphigus vulgaris , gingivitis , epidemiology , oral lichen planus , erythema , erythema multiforme , population , cicatricial pemphigoid , disease , pathology , pemphigoid , bullous pemphigoid , immunology , dentistry , environmental health , antibody
Background Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is a descriptive term used to indicate epithelial desquamation, erythema, erosions, and/or vesiculobullous lesions of the gingiva. DG is commonly associated with several mucocutaneous disorders and systemic conditions that may carry a poor prognosis and high morbidity; however, there are no clear data concerning the frequency of these disease associations. Methods We investigated the epidemiologic features of DG in 125 patients and compared our findings with information from a literature review. Results In our series, 88% of patients with DG had one of the following three disorders: oral lichen planus (OLP), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), or pemphigus vulgaris. The most common cause of DG was OLP (75% of patients). 22% of patients had isolated gingival involvement, and there were diffuse gingival lesions in 57% of patients. Symptoms ranged from none (1%) to severe pain (10%). There was extra‐oral involvement of skin in 14% of patients, conjunctiva in 7%, genital mucosa in 26%, and internal organs in 3%. Our study showed MMP to be associated with DG in only a small percentage of patients (9%); this finding may be related to the patient population, epidemiology of the specific disease, and referral and/or past diagnostic bias. Conclusion Based on our series and recent reports, OLP seems to be the most common cause of DG.