title: Pemphigus vulgaris in oral cavity: clinical analysis of 71 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical presentation of pemphigus vulgaris in the oral cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 71 cases of pemphigus vulgaris obtained over a period of 7 years from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2007 in the Department of Oral Pathology, Government Dental College and Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Calicut was designed. Clinical details such as age, sex, intraoral distribution, extent of oral lesions, oral presentation, duration, oral involvement (whether primary or secondary) and mode of onset were noted from the files of corresponding Departments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In about 53.52% of cases, the oral cavity was the primary site of involvement. The mean age was 42.73 years and male: female ratio was 1:1.73. The most commonly affected sites were the buccal mucosa and the palate. The disease began with generalized lesions rather than localized lesions. All cases presented as ulcers or erosions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although minor differences were noted, the results of this study are in relatively good agreement with the literature with regard to the age, gender, and initial presentation of pemphigus vulgaris.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. Educare Institute of Dental Sciences. Chattiparamba. India. shamu3duad@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Thorakkal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shamim
authors.forename: Vengal Ipe
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: Pallikandi Maliyekkal
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Shameena
authors.forename: Sivasankar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sudha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult