Oral pemphigus vulgaris: clinicopathological study of 35 cases at a tertiary care centre in North India

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological features of oral pemphigus vulgaris. Methods: A prospective study of 35 cases of oral pemphigus vulgaris, over a period of 2.5 years from June 2014 to December 2016 in the Department of Dermatology, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar was designed. Complete history and detailed mucocutaneous examination was done. Punch biopsy was performed from the oral mucosa and skin lesions (if present). Specimen was sent for histopathological examination and results analysed. Results: Out of 35 patients, 17 (48.57%) were males and 18 (51.42%) were females. Male to female ratio was 1:1.1. The majority of the patients (12, 34.29%) were in the 40-49 year age group. Multiple sites were involved in all patients with bilateral buccal mucosa being involved in all the cases, followed by tongue (30, 85.71%). Histopathological examination showed presence of suprabasal split and acantholytic cells in all cases. Conclusions: Oral ulcers are a presenting feature of pemphigus vulgaris which commonly precede the skin lesions. Histopathological examination enables early diagnosis of the disease which leads to prompt treatment and decreased morbidity .