title: Oral mucosa involvement in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the frequency and character of oral mucosal lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. Furthermore, the relation between oral mucosal involvement and hyposalivation was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital "Mother Theresa" in Tirana, Albania.
  
  
  METHODS
  124 consecutive hospitalised patients (88 with rheumatoid arthritis, 22 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 14 with systemic sclerosis) and 124 age- and gender- matched healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral lesions were clinically examined and classified according to their morphologic aspects and localisation. Examination included also measurement of unstimulated whole salivary flow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency of oral mucosal lesions and hyposalivation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral mucosal lesions were observed in 58.9% of patients, but in only 33.1% of control subjects. Clinical aspects of lesions varied, and palate, buccal and labial mucosa, and tongue were the most affected sites. No significant associations were found between presence of oral lesions and hyposalivation, except oral candidosis which was associated with hyposalivation in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis have a higher burden of oral mucosa disease than a healthy population. Collaboration of rheumatology and oral medicine units should allow appropriate management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Dentistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tirana, Albania. ardita_alfa@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ardita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aliko
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alushi
authors.forename: Argjend
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tafaj
authors.forename: Fatmir
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002610:Cheek / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005928:Glossitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000209:etiology; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000209:etiology; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000209:etiology; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D013256:Steroids