Oral manifestations in patients with aplastic anemia

Objective. The aim of the present study was to characterize the prevalence and risks of oral complications in aplastic anemia (AA). Study design. Approximately 79 patients with AA (age, 37 +/- 17 years) and 66 control patients with schizophrenia (age, 33 +/- 12 years) were examined . Records were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and radiographic informa tion. Prior medical therapy, laboratory values, disease duration, and medic al treatment response were noted for patients with AA. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% Cl were calculated for oral manifestations in cases and in control sub jects. Univariate analysis identified important variables for logistic regr ession. Results. Patients with AA presented more frequently with oral petechiae (OR = 49; 95% Cl, 2.9-825), gingival hyperplasia (OR = 27; 95% Cl, 1.6-463.5), spontaneous gingival bleeding (OR = 27; 95% Cl, 1.6-463.5), and herpetic l esions (OR = 27; 95% Ct, 1.6-463.5). Prior cyclosporine use was associated with gingival hyperplasia (P = .0001). No other predictors for oral manifes tations or treatment outcomes were found. Conclusions. Oral soft tissue changes and infections were more common in pa tients with AA. Prior cyclosporine use was predictive of the presence of gi ngival hyperplasia.