Oral Manifestations of Systemic

Diseases (II)
Dr. Suhail S. Kishawi
Consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes

Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Many systemic diseases are reflected in the oral mucosa, maxilla,

and mandible.

Mucosal changes may include ulceration or mucosal bleeding.

Immunodeficiency can lead to opportunistic diseases such as infection

and neoplasia.

Bone disease can affect the maxilla and mandible.

Systemic disease can cause dental and periodontal changes.

Drugs prescribed for a systemic disease can affect oral tissue.

Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Local factors may be involved in the manifestation of systemic

disease in oral mucosa.

The mucosa may be more easily injured due to a systemic disease,

and mild irritation and chronic inflammation may cause lesions that
otherwise would not occur.

These may include

Endocrine disorders, disorders of red and white blood cells, disorders

of platelets and other bleeding and clotting disorders, and
immunodeficiency disorders

Blood Disorders

Disorders of Red Blood Cells and Hemoglobin

Disorders of White Blood Cells

Bleeding Disorders

Blood Disorders

The complete blood count examines red blood cells, white

blood cells, and platelets.

It provides information about the number of each type of

cell, the ratio of types, and the appearance of the cells.

Disorders of Red Blood Cells

and Hemoglobin

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Pernicious Anemia

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

Thalassemia

Sickle Cell Anemia

Celiac Sprue

Aplastic Anemia

Polycythemia

Normal CBC

Anemia

A reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood

Most often related to a decrease in the number of circulating

red blood cells

Nutritional anemias

A deficiency in a substance required for the normal

development of red blood cells, commonly vitamins

Suppression of bone marrow stem cells

Symptoms

Irritability

Lack of
Concentration

Fatigue
Infection

Palpitation

Weakness
Dizziness

Clinical Features
Pallor of skin

Soft ejection

And m/m

systolic murmur

Edema

Signs
Tachycardia

Koilonychia

Glossitis
Stomatitis

Anemia

Clinical features

Pallor of skin and oral mucosa

Angular cheilitis

Erythema and atrophy of oral mucosa

Loss of filiform and fungiform papillae on the dorsum of

the tongue

Iron Deficiency Anemia

An insufficient amount of iron is supplied to bone marrow for red

blood cell development.

May occur as a result of deficient iron intake, blood loss from heavy
menstrual bleeding or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, poor iron
absorption, or an increased requirement for iron in situations such as
pregnancy or infancy

Plummer-Vinson syndrome may result from long standing iron

deficiency anemia.

Includes dysphagia, atrophy of the upper alimentary tract, and a

predisposition to developing oral cancer

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of Iron

Deficiency Anemia

Often asymptomatic, may have nonspecific symptoms such as

weakness and fatigue

In severe cases may see angular cheilitis, pallor of oral tissue,

and an erythematous, smooth, painful tongue

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Pernicious Anemia

Probably an autoimmune disorder in most situations

May be caused by removal of the stomach, gastric cancer,

or gastritis

Caused by a deficiency in intrinsic factor

Intrinsic factor is secreted by parietal cells in the

stomach; it is necessary for absorption of vitamin B12

Vitamin B12
There are a number of key steps in the absorption of Vitamin B12. The two key locations
are the stomach and the terminal ilium. Dietary vitamin B12 binds with intrinsic factor
(IF) in the stomach, a transport protein produced by gastric parietal cells. The B12-IF
complex then travels through the small intestine and is absorbed by special receptors in
the distal ileum. This pathway is important when considering possible causes of Vitamin
B12 deficiency.
Oesophagus

Causes of
vitamin B12
deficiency

Stomach
IF Intrinsic factor

1. Pernicious
anaemia
2. Inadequate
intake

3. Poor
absorption

Vitamin B12
ingested

Vitamin B12 deficiency

can take up to two years
to develop as the body
has sufficient stores for
this period.

Pernicious anaemia:
the leading cause of
B12 deficiency. IgG

autoantibodies
Distal ileum
Site of B12
absorption

target gastric parietal

cells and its product
IF causing an atrophic
gastritis. This results
in reduced secretion
of intrinsic factor and
therefore reduced B12IF complex for
absorption in the
distal ileum.

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Pernicious Anemia

Weakness, pallor, and fatigue on exertion,nausea, dizziness,

diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss

Angular cheilitis, mucosal pallor, painful atrophic and

erythematous mucosa, mucosal ulceration, loss of papillae on the
dorsum of the tongue, and burning and painful tongue

Clinical Features and Oral

Manifestations of Pernicious Anemia

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12

Deficiency Anemia

From dietary deficiencies

Can occur in association with malnutrition

May be found with alcoholism or pregnancy

Oral Manifestations of Folic Acid and Vitamin

B12 Deficiency Anemia

Oral manifestations are indistinguishable from

those of pernicious anemia.

Thalassemia
(Mediterranean Anemia)

A group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis

An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern

The heterozygous form may be mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic.

The homozygous form is associated with severe hemolytic anemia.

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Thalassemia

Yellow skin & pallor, fever, malaise, and weakness

The face includes prominent cheekbones, depression of the

bridge of the nose, a prominent maxilla, and protrusion or
flaring of maxillary anterior teeth.

Radiographs of skull may show marked vertical striation

(hair on end appearance)

Skull x-ray in a 5 year old boy with thalassemia major

Marked vertical striations give the appearance of hair standing on end

Sickle Cell Anemia

An inherited blood disorder

When someone is heterozygous, it is called sickle cell trait.

When someone is homozygous, they are much more severely
affected.

Occurs before age 30 and is more common in women than in men

The red blood cells develop a sickle shape when there is

decreased oxygen.

This can be triggered by exercise, exertion, administration of a

general anesthetic, pregnancy, or even sleep.

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Sickle Cell Anemia

The person has weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue, joint

pain, and nausea.

Radiographic

There is a loss of trabeculation, and large, irregular marrow

spaces appear.

A hair-on-end pattern may be seen in the skull.

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Sickle Cell Anemia

Celiac Sprue

A chronic disorder due to sensitivity to wheat gluten

Ingestion causes injury to intestinal mucosa.

This injury may cause malabsorption of nutrients and a resulting

anemia.

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Celiac Sprue

Symptoms include diarrhea, nervousness, and paresthesia.

Painful, burning tongue, atrophy of papillae, and ulceration of oral

mucosa

Aplastic Anemia

A severe depression of bone marrow activity causes a decrease in

all circulating blood cells. pancytopenia

Primary aplastic anemia the cause is unknown

Secondary aplastic anemia a result of a drug or chemical

agent

Aplastic Anemia

Oral Manifestations of Aplastic Anemia

Infection, spontaneous bleeding, petechiae, and purpuric

spots

Polycythemia

Characterized by an increase in the number of circulating

red blood cells

May be absolute or relative

The three forms of polycythemia are

Polycythemia Vera

Secondary Polycythemia

Relative Polycythemia

Polycythemia Vera (Primary Polycythemia)

A neoplastic proliferation of bone marrow stem cells causes

an abnormally high number of circulating red blood cells.

Unknown cause
More common in men than in women
Age of onset usually between 40 and 60 years of age

Clinical features

Headache, dizziness, and itching (pruritus)

Thrombi may form.

Secondary Polycythemia

The increase in red blood cells is caused by a physiologic

response to decreased oxygen.

A decrease in blood oxygen causes an increase in erythropoietin

by the kidneys.

May be due to pulmonary disease, heart disease, living at high

altitude, or elevation in carbon monoxide

Relative Polycythemia

Caused by a decrease in plasma volume

Causes may include diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive

sweating.

Most patients are middle-aged white men under physiologic stress,

mildly overweight, hypertensive, and heavy smokers.

Oral Manifestations of Polycythemia

The oral mucosa may appear deep red to purple; the

gingiva may be edematous and bleed easily.

Submucosal petechiae, ecchymosis, and hematoma

formation may be present.

Disorders of White Blood Cells

Agranulocytosis

Leukemia

Disorders of White Blood Cells

Three groups of white blood cells are found in

circulation.

Granulocytes
Neutrophils (PMNs), eosinophils, and basophils

Lymphocytes

Monocytes

Agranulocytosis

A significant reduction in circulating neutrophils

Leukopenia an abnormally low white blood cell count

Neutropenia a reduction in the number of circulating

neutrophils

Agranulocytosis

Can result from a problem in development of neutrophils or

accelerated destruction of neutrophils

Primary the cause is unknown, may be an immunologic

disorder

Secondary a result of chemicals or drugs

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of

Agranulocytosis

Sudden onset of fever, chills, jaundice, weakness, and sore

throat

Oral infection

AGRANULOCYTOSIS
(White Blood Cell disorder)

A marked reduction in circulating neutrophils.

A sudden onset of a severe sore throat.

A marked presence of infection in the mouth:

Necrotizing ulcerations
Excessive bleeding from the gingiva
Rapid destruction of supporting tissue of the teeth
Regional lymphadenopathy

Excessive bleeding from the gingiva

Necrotizing ulcerations

Regional lymphadenopathy

Leukemia

Malignant neoplasms of hematopoietic stem cells

Characterized by an excessive number of abnormal white

blood cells in circulating blood

Unknown cause; may be due to oncogenic viruses

There are many different types categorized as to whether

they are acute or chronic.

Acute Leukemias

Characterized by very immature cells and a rapidly fatal

course if not treated
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia involves immature
lymphocytes
Primarily affects children and young adults
Good prognosis
Acute myeloblastic leukemia involves immature
granulocytes
Primarily affects adolescents and young adults.
Prognosis is not as good as lymphatic.

Clinical and Oral Features of Acute Leukemias

Weakness, fever, enlargement of

lymph nodes, and bleeding

Gingival enlargement

Oral infection

Bleeding gums, petechiae and

ecchymosis

Chronic Leukemias

Slow onset

Primarily affect adults

Clinical Features and Oral Manifestations of Chronic

Leukemias

Easy fatigability, weakness, weight loss, anorexia

Pallor of lips and gingiva, gingival enlargement, petechiae

and ecchymosis, gingival bleeding

Bleeding Disorders

Hemostasis

Purpura

Hemophilia

Hemostasis

A cessation of bleeding

Circulating platelets adhere to a damaged surface and

aggregate to form a temporary clot.

Fibrin binds the platelets

Fibrin is converted from fibrinogen by a cascade of circulating
proteins.

Defects may be caused by abnormalities of either platelets

or coagulation factors.

These may be determined with laboratory tests.

Hemostasis

Coagulation Cascade
(aPTT)

(PT)

(aPTT, PT, TT)

Hemostasis

Platelet Count

To determine the number of platelets

Normal is 150,000 to 400,000/mm3

Spontaneous gingival bleeding may occur if the count is less

than 20,000/mm3

Bleeding Time

The adequacy of platelet function

Normal is between 1 and 6 minutes.

Prolonged is greater than 5 or 10 minutes.

Prothrombin Time (PT)

The ability to form a clot

Normal is usually between 11 and 16 seconds.

INR is the ratio of PT to thromboplastin activity.

Values less than 3 are considered normal.

Patients on anticoagulants may have INR values of 4 to 5.

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

Measures the other way by which clot formation occurs

A normal PTT is usually 25 to 40 seconds.

Prolongation to 45 or 50 seconds may be associated with

bleeding problems.

Over 50 seconds may be severe

Purpura

A reddish-blue or purplish discoloration of skin or mucosa

from spontaneous extravasation of blood

May be due to a defect or deficiency in blood platelets

Blood may ooze from gingival margins.

Thrombocytopenic Purpura

A bleeding disorder that results from a severe reduction in

circulating platelets

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

If the cause is unknown

Immune thrombocytopenia

An autoimmune type of process

Secondary thrombocytopenic purpura

Often associated with drugs

Clinical and Oral Manifestations of

Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Spontaneous purpuric or hemorrhagic lesions on the skin

Patients bruise easily, may have blood in urine, and have

frequent nosebleeds.

Nonthrombocytopenic Purpura

Bleeding disorders that can result from either a defect in

capillary walls or disorders of platelet function

Vitamin C deficiency and infections or chemicals and allergy

may be the cause of alterations in vascular walls.

Drugs, allergy, and autoimmune disease may cause disorders

of platelet function.

Von Willebrand disease is an autosomal dominant disorder

of platelet function.

Oral Manifestations of Nonthrombocytopenic

Purpura

Spontaneous gingival bleeding, petechiae, ecchymoses,

and hemorrhagic blisters

Hemophilia

A disorder of blood coagulation

Results in severely prolonged clotting time

Due to a deficiency in plasma proteins involved in

coagulation

Types of Hemophilia

The two most common types are type A and type B.

Transmitted as X-linked diseases through an unaffected

carrier daughter to a son

Type A

Caused by a deficiency of plasma thromboplastinogen or

factor VIII

Type B

Christmas disease
Less common, the clotting defect is plasma thromboplastin or
factor IX

Oral Manifestations of Hemophilia

Spontaneous gingival bleeding, petechiae, and ecchymosis

After an injection on person with hemophilia

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemophilia

The bleeding time and PT in hemophilia are normal; the

PTT is prolonged.

Diagnosis involves identifying the missing factor; treatment

involves replacing it.

Immunodeficiency

Can involve the different parts of the immune system either

alone or together

May involve a deficiency in cell-mediated or humoral immunity

May involve deficiency in phagocytosis

Divided into

Primary immunodeficiency of genetic origin

Secondary immunodeficiency from another underlying disorder

Primary Immunodeficiencies

Of genetic origin

May involve B cells, T cells, or both

Very rare

Bruton disease (X linked congenital

agammaglobulinemia)

DiGeorge syndrome (thymic hypoplasia)

Severe combined immunodeficiency

Secondary Immunodeficiencies

Secondary Immunodeficiencies

Occur as the result of an underlying disorder

May be malnutrition, viral infection, cancer, renal disease

and Hodgkins disease

May occur with immunosuppressive drugs, drugs used

along with radiation, chemotherapy

Oral Manifestations of Therapy for Oral Cancer

Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy

Oral Manifestations of Therapy for Oral

Cancer

Oral cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or

chemotherapy, or a combination.

Radiation Therapy

The patient often experiences mucositis

during radiation therapy.

Mucositis begins about the second week

of therapy and subsides a few weeks
after its completion.

It is painful and appears as an

erythematous and ulcerated mucosa.

The patients may have difficulty eating,

pain on swallowing, and loss of taste.

Radiation Therapy

Destruction of major salivary glands may result in xerostomia

The patient is prone to rampant caries and oral candidiasis.

They also are prone to osteoradionecrosis.

Radiation Therapy

Patients should have an oral evaluation before radiation

therapy of the head and neck.

Potential sources for oral infection and teeth with a

questionable prognosis should be removed.

The hygienist can help with

Fluoride application
Patient education
Frequent follow-up appointments

Chemotherapy

Drugs used for cancer chemotherapy affect basal cells of

the epithelium.

Mucositis and oral ulceration are common complications.

A decrease in all blood cells may occur

Lowered RBC counts can lead to anemia.

Lowered WBC counts can lead to infections.
Lowered platelets can lead to bleeding problems.

Hematologic diseases

Leukemia

Gingival hypertrophy
Petechiae
Mucosal ulcers
Hemorrhage

Treatment of leukemia
Reactivation of herpes simplex virus oral mucosistis

Summary of oral manifestations of gastrointestinal

and hematologic diseases

Angular cheilitis

Iron-deficiency anemia

Intraoral burning
Iron-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia

Hemorrhage

Scurvy
Ulcerative colitis

Aphthous ulcers

Crohn's disease
Pernicious anemia
Ulcerative colitis

Candidiasis
Crohn's disease (steriod therapy)
Iron-deficiency anemia
Pyostomatitis vegetans (steriod
therapy)
Ulcerative colitis (steroid therapy

Summary of oral manifestations of

gastrointestinal and hematologic diseases
Labial swelling
Crohn's disease
Erosion of enamel and dentin
Anorexia nervosa/bulimia
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gingivitis
Anorexia nervosa/bullimia
Crohn's disease
Scurvy

Glossitis
Crohn's disease
Iron-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerations and erosions
Crohn's disease
Iron-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia
Ulcerative colitis

Connective-tissue diseases

Sjgren syndrome

autoimmune disease
men : women - 1 : 9, 50 years and older

Main signs
sicca syndrome
keratoconjuctivitis sicca
xerostomia
Oral signs
decrease in saliva
xerostomia
dry, red, wrinkled mucosa
difficulty in swalloving and eating
disturbance in taste and speech
increased dental caries
infections
atrophy of the papilae
candidiasis

Connective-tissue diseases

Kawasaki disease

vasculitis of medium and large arteries

Oral signs
swelling of papilae on the surface of the
tongue (strawbery tongue)
intense erythema of the mucosal surfaces
cracked, cherry red, swolen and hemorrhagic
lips

Connective-tissue diseases

Scleroderma

diffuse sclerosis of the skin, GIT, heart

muscle, lungs, kidney

Oral signs
pursed lips dificult to open the mouth
esophafeal sclerosis
gastroesophageal reflux damage of
enamel
pale, rigid mucosa
teleangiectasias
decreased mobility of tongue
salivary hypofunction

Limited mouth opening and decreased

tongue mobility

Gingival retraction

Connective-tissue diseases

Lupus erythematosus

autoimmune disease

Oral signs
ulcerations
oral lesions of lichen planus
petechiae
damage of salivary glands - xerostomia

ulcer

lichen planus lesions

Behcets Disease

Vasculitis with triad

oral, genital ulcers,

uveitis or iritis
oral
aphthous-like
painful, clusters on lips,
gingiva, buccal, tongue
less often palate,
oropharynx

genital
similar in appearance

Behcets Disease

occular
uveitis, iritis
hypopyon

healing in days to
weeks some scarring

symptoms
simultaneously,
months apart

Pulmonary diseases

Cystic fibrosis
Oral signs
disorder of salivary
glands
swelling lips
gingivitis
dryness

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis, also called sarcoid (from the Greek 'sark' and 'oid' meaning
"flesh-like")

An immune system disorder characterised by non-caseating granulomas

(small inflammatory nodules) that most commonly arises in young adults.

The cause of the disease is still unknown.

Any organ can be affected; however, granulomas most often appear in the
lungs or the lymph nodes.

Symptoms can occasionally appear suddenly but usually appear gradually.

The clinical course varies and ranges from asymptomatic disease that
resolves spontaneously to a debilitating chronic condition that may lead to
death.

Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Oral signs

Multiple, nodular, painles ulcerations of the gingiva,

bucal mucosa, labial mucosa and palate
Tumor like swelling of salivary glans
Swelling of the tongue
Xerostomia
Facial nerve palsy

Cutaneous diseases

Psoriasis
Oral signs
Fissured tongue
Small white papules
Red and white plagues
Bright red patches

Acantosis nigricans
Hyperpigmentation, papillomatosis
Oral signs
Gingival hyperplasia
Gingiva, tongue, lips - papilomas

Discussion Questions

What oral manifestations of systemic diseases

may be observed within the oral cavity?
What disorders of blood cells may be observed
within the oral cavity?
What effects may immunodeficiency have
upon the oral cavity?
What oral manifestations may be observed
during therapy for oral cancer?
What effects of drugs may be observed within
the oral cavity?

THANK YOU