Periodontal status in patients with pemphigus vulgaris

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the periodontal status of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients and compare it with that of healthy controls. We also analysed the association between the periodontal condition and the clinical severity of the disease in PV patients. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients (nine women, 11 men; mean +/- s.d. age, 42.9 +/- 9.8 years) with PV and 22 healthy subjects (eight women, 14 men; mean +/- s.d. age, 40.5 +/- 12.1 years) were included in the study. The periodontal status of all subjects was evaluated according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). PV patients were also assessed for Clinical Severity Score (CSS). RESULTS: The mean CPITN values were observed to be higher in PV patients (2.8 +/- 0.7) compared with those of healthy controls (1.0 +/- 0.8) (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in CPITN values according to the CSS (P = 0.4). The number of carious teeth was significantly higher in PV patients than that in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that periodontal status is worse in PV patients. Moreover, PV might contribute to the development and/or progression of periodontitis. PV patients should be encouraged for long-term periodontal follow up.