Oral mucosa in dermatitis herpetiformis (Duhring's disease): a clinical and mycologic evaluation.

OBJECTIVES

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by a gluten-sensitive enteropathy that accompanies papulovesicular, itchy skin eruptions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral mucosa state by defining the occurrence of oral lesions and Candida carriage in DH patients.

DESIGN

Thirty DH patients underwent oral mucosa examination and mycologic evaluation.

RESULTS

The most common complaints included gum bleeding and pain (10 patients, 33.3%), pain due to oral ulceration (8 patients, 26.6%), a burning sensation and taste disturbances (5 patients, 16.6%), and xerostomia (4 patients, 13.3% each). The most common findings on the oral mucosa included white-coated tongue (16 persons; 53.3%) and buccal mucosa edema (15 patients; 23.3%). Linea alba was observed in 11 persons (30%). Tongue depapillation and atrophic-erythematous tongue lesions were revealed in 5 (16.6%) and 4 persons (13.3%), respectively. Candidiasis was found in 12 DH patients (40%). Systemic conditions that most commonly accompanied DH included anemia- 14 patients (46.6%), hypertension- 7 patients (23.3%), allergies- 6 patients (20%), and other gastrointestinal diseases unrelated to DH- 5 patients (16.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

DH may promote the occurrence of a white-coated tongue, mucosal edema, linea alba, and atrophic glossitis, and may increase the risk of oral candidiasis.