INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is characterized by several clinical manifestations. A few studies in the literature state estimated prevalence of 6.5% to 21% in oral manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oral and laboratorial findings in patients with SLE. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred fifty-five patients diagnosed with SLE were analyzed in accordance with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The index of decayed, missed and filled teeth (DMFT) was registered and the necessity of periodontal treatment was evaluated by the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Furthermore, biopsies and smears of the lateral borders of the tongue were performed for cytopathological exams. Laboratory exams were correlated with patients' oral findings. RESULTS: Ninety-four comma one percent of 155 patients were women. High levels of circulating autoantibodies (ANA-Hep2) were observed in all patients and 41.9% of them were positive for anti-double stranded DNA. Mean DMFT index was 18.5. According to CPI, 18% showed periodontal pockets of 4-5 mm and 5.9% pockets of 6mm or more. Eight oral lesions were biopsied, but only three cases were considered compatible with clinical indication of SLE. The main affected sites were dorsum of the tongue, buccal mucosa and lips. The prevalence of candidiasis and oral hairy leucoplakia corresponded to 20.1% and 3.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that patients with SLE present low prevalence of oral lesions and poor periodontal conditions. Moreover, the cytopathology showed infections associated with immunosuppression such as candidiasis and oral hairy leucoplakia.
Systemic lupus erythematosus; Mouth mucosa; Autoantibodies; Oral pathology
