Abstract

ANGEL, Nathaly et al. Oral manifestations in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Rev.Colomb.Reumatol. [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.1, pp.13-21. ISSN 0121-8123.

Objective. Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) frequently experience oral manifestations, which can be the first symptom of the disease. Our objective was to describe the manifestations of oral soft tissue in patients diagnosed with SLE, and to establish whether or not there is a relationship between these manifestations and the time at which the disease was diagnosed, the immunological markers, systemic compromise, and pharmacological treatment. Methods. 66 patients diagnosed with SLE were included in the study. Each patient underwent an estomatological examination, and their demographical, clinical, and treatment information was gathered by way of reviewing their clinical history and by participating in an interview. Cytological analysis was performed on ten patients to test for candidiasis. Results. 55 patients presented some type of oral cavity lesion, which included: 26 patients with lesions "suggestive of candidiasis", 23 with petechiae, 17 with ulcers, and 11 with actinic cheilitis. Oral candidiasis was associated with the use of prednisolone. Of the 57 patients who took this medicine, 45.6% had lesions "suggestive of candidiasis". However, there is no association between the presence or absence of lesions and the exact dose of prednisolone taken. Conclusions. Patients taking prednisolone have 15.98 times more probability of suffering lesions "suggestive of candidiasis" than those who do not take this medication. However, no association was found between systemic compromise and the presence of oral lesions

Keywords : systemic lupus erythematosus; oral lesions; candidiasis; prednisolone.