Clinical features of gingival lesions in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: A cross-sectional study

Background Gingival lesions in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) are a common manifestation. However, their clinical features, frequency and severity are currently unknown. Methods Forty-five DEB patients were assessed by an oral medicine specialist, who analysed the presence/absence of four clinical signs (erythema, erosion/ulcer, atrophy, blister) on free and attached gingiva, using the Epidermolysis Bullosa Oropharyngeal Severity score. Results Twenty-eight (62.2%) out of 45 DEB patients showed different types of gingival lesions, whose presence/absence and total frequency/distribution were not significantly different between males and females (p = 0.087 and p = 0.091, respectively). Erythema was the most prevalent lesion (66.2%) and the recessive DEB severe generalized (RDEB-sev gen) reached the highest median disease activity score. A significant correlation was observed between the DEB subtypes and the disease activity median score (p < 0.001), but not between age and total disease activity score in each group of DEB (p > 0.05). Lastly, logistic regression showed that only gender (p = 0.031) and RDEB-sev gen (p = 0.001) were risks factors for the presence of gingival lesions. Conclusions Gingival lesions in DEB patients are a relatively common entity and may have multiple clinical aspects, emphasizing the need for thorough attention and awareness among dentists.