Epidermolysis bullosa - A series of 33 cases

Abstract

Objectives: To present a retrospective descriptive study of a case series of individuals diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa treated at a university hospital. Methods: Socioeconomic data, frequency of systemic comorbidities, and oral health condition were evaluated in patients diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa undergoing medical and dental care from 2014 to 2019 at a public university hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Results: The sample consisted of 33 individuals with ages ranging from 0 to 41 years. The socioeconomic analysis showed that family income of up to one minimum wage was the most frequent (72.6%). As for the subtype, the recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa corresponded to the highest number of cases (75.7%). A high prevalence of systemic comorbidities and stomatological changes was found, such as anemia, infections, esophageal strictures, congestive heart failure, squamous cell carcinoma, scars, microstomia, ankyloglossia, intraoral ulcers, and dental caries. The average DMFT index of the sample was 11.2, with the decayed component contributing most to the index. Conclusions: Stomatological disorders are prevalent in individuals with epidermolysis bullosa, resulting in important changes in the oral cavity, painful symptoms, gingivitis, and a high DMFT index. The dentist should be included in the multidisciplinary team to act early in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral pathologies.