Pemphigus vulgaris: effects on periodontal health

Increasing evidence indicates that systemic conditions are risk factors of periodontitis. Pemphigus is a group of bullous diseases affecting the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal status of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients. The periodontal status of 50 PV patients and 50 healthy subjects was assessed by a single examiner. PV patients were assessed based on the Clinical Severity Score (CSS). Periodontal clinical parameters such as plaque score, full mouth gingival bleeding score, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and radiological bone loss were recorded. Effects of age, gender, daily tooth brushing habit, oral lesions and treatment duration on the periodontal status of PV patients were also determined. A statistically significant difference was found between the PV group and the healthy group with respect to the plaque score, PD and CAL (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that age, gender, and treatment did not significantly influence clinical severity of the disease (P > 0.05). Increased PD and CAL were found with an increase in the CSS. The poor periodontal status in PV patients suggests that PV may be involved in the initiation or progression of periodontitis.