Erythema multiforme: diagnosis, clinical manifestations and treatment in a retrospective study of 22 patients.
BACKGROUND
Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute disorder of the skin and mucosal membranes manifesting in the oral cavity (60-70% of all patients) as polymorphic erosive, ampullar, and bloodstained crusts. The etiology is unclear, although an autoimmune mechanism is involved. Infections and drugs have been implicated in the etiopathogenesis. With the exception of corticosteroids, no specific treatment for EM is available.


METHODS
Data were collected on the clinical manifestations, antecedents of viral infection, and the use of drugs substances as possible etiological factors, treatment, and response to topical and systemic corticotherapy.


RESULTS
A total of 22 patients were studied (14 males and 8 females), with a mean age of 47±20.4 years. A relationship was clearly suspected between drug use and lesion outbreak in 6 patients (27.2%). On the contrary, in 7 patients (31.8%) the triggering factor could have been herpes virus infection (herpes labialis). One half of the patients (11 cases) were classified as presenting minor EM, 36.4% (8 cases) presented major forms of the disease, and 13.6% (3 cases) were classified as corresponding to Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Systemic and/or topical corticosteroids proved effective in controlling the outbreaks in all of our patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The oral mucosa is the most affected mucosal region in EM, with a predilection for the lip mucosa, erosive forms and bloodstained crusts. Systemic corticosteroids are effective in controlling the outbreaks, although their use as maintenance therapy is not clearly indicated.
Sanchis
J M
JM
Service of Stomatology, Valencia University General Hospital, Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Avenida Tres Cruces s/n, Valencia, Spain. sanchisj@uv.es
Bagán
J V
JV
Gavaldá
C
C
Murillo
J
J
Diaz
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones