Glucocorticosteroids and oral medicine.

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Immunodermatology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Oral manifestations are common in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
• Conditions discussed include Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the temporomandibular joint, Pemphigus Vulgaris, Pemphigoid, Erythema Multiforme Exudativum (EME), Lichen Planus (LP), and Recurrent Aphthous Ulcerations (RAU).
• These disorders share a commonality of inflammation secondary to hypersensitivity reactions against autocomponents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of glucocorticosteroids in managing oral manifestations of various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
• To evaluate the benefits of steroid therapy based on current understanding of disease etiology and pathogenesis.
• To assess the utility of glucocorticosteroids as palliative and long-term suppressive agents.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current knowledge on the etiology and pathogenesis of relevant oral conditions.
• Analysis of the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mechanisms of glucocorticosteroids.
• Synthesis of evidence regarding the efficacy of steroid treatment in acute and chronic phases of these diseases.

Main Results:

• Glucocorticosteroids demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.
• Steroid therapy does not alter the primary disease mechanisms underlying these conditions.
• Benefits are observed in managing acute inflammatory phases and suppressing disease activity.

Conclusions:

• Glucocorticosteroids are valuable palliatives for acute oral inflammatory conditions.
• Long-term use of steroids can help suppress host defense in certain autoimmune diseases.
• Steroid therapy is a reasonable approach for symptom management in the discussed oral manifestations, despite not addressing the root cause.