SCLERODERMA-ASSOCIATED SYNDROME: ORAL MANIFESTATIONS

Introduction: The authors propose to evaluate the existence of a correlation between Sjogren’s syndrome and progressive systemic sclerosis, and to describe oral manifest- ations of scleroderma- associated syndrome. Material and methods: 24 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis were examined: 22 women and 2 men. All the patients examined met the diagnostic criteria for progressive systemic sclerosis. A diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome was made based on a positive histological examination of biopsy specimens of the accessory salivary glands of the lower lip, associated with dry keratoconjunctivitis and/or xerostomia, and the detection of serum autoantibody. Each patient underwent a careful clinical testing based on: observation of oral soft tissue alteration; evaluation of possible xerostomia and correlation with Sjogren’s syndrome; evaluation of possible microstomia; evaluation of possible Candida infections; evaluation of possible oral mucous sores in patients wearing prostheses; DMFS evaluation; evaluation of periodontal health by means of uletic bleeding index; evaluation of bone absorption state; laboratory tests. Results: The research showed that Sjogren’s syndrome was present in 20.8% of patients afflicted by progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc). The patients who suffered from SSc-associated Sjogren Syndrome had a higher rate of oral manifestations. In particular, there was a higher rate of caries and paradental disease in patients who suffered from associated syndromes compared to patients who suffered exclusively from progressive systemic sclerosis. Conclusion: The observed results confirm the existence of a correlation between the two pathologies and that scleroderma-associated syndrome is a peculiar disease that can afflict oral health. Our findings underline that oral manifestations are significantly manifest in SSc-associated Sjogren Syndrome.