Desquamative gingivitis: retrospective analysis of disease associations of a large cohort.

BACKGROUND

Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is usually a manifestation of immunologically mediated mucocutaneous disorders, although it was previously suggested to be hormonally related.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-seven Caucasian UK residents with clinical features of DG (126 female, median age of 51 years, range 23-93 years) were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

It was established that, in this population, the largest cohort yet reported, oral lichen planus was most common (70.5%) while mucous membrane pemphigoid (14%), pemphigus vulgaris (13%), linear IgA disease (1.6%), dermatomyositis (0.5%) and mixed connective tissue disease (0.5%) were less common.

CONCLUSION

Oral lichen planus is the main disorder associated with DG. However, DG may be a feature of bullous disease and connective tissue disease.