Gender-related Differences in Oral Complications of Crohn’s Disease

Objectives: Many studies have reported oral changes associated with Crohn’s Disease (CD). Since conflicting data have been reported about the prevalence, the objective of this study was to obtain data on the prevalence of oral lesions in CD. Methods: An oral health questionnaire was sent to 1000 patients with CD, randomly selected from the members of the Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Association of the Netherlands. Results: A total of 654 subjects returned the questionnaire. 471 women (F-CD, mean age 40.1±9.7) and 183 men (M-CD, mean age 40.3±10.5 yr. n.s.). The duration of the disease was comparable (mean 13.2±6.4 and 13.7±7.9 yr, respectively). 4.9% F-CD and 6.1% M-CD were edentulous (n.s.). Of the dentate subjects, 37.2% F-CD and 21.5% M-CD reported current oral problems (p < 0.05). Frequenty reported oral problems with statistically significant gender differences were bleeding gums (F-CD 15.5% M-CD 6.1%,) swollen gums (F-CD 7.9% M-CD 2.2%), inflamed gums (F-CD 12.0% M-CD 5.0%), xerostomia (F-CD 9.8% M-CD 2.8%) and ahpthous lesions (F-CD 7.5% M-CD 2.2%). Taste alterations (F-CD 4.3% M-CD 4.4%), glossitis (F-CD 0.2% M-CD 1.1%) and white aspect of the oral mucosa (F-CD 1.5% M-CD 1.1%) showed no gender differences. F-CD reported to brush their teeth more frequently. 30.9% F-CD and 30.6% M-CD reported current disease activity in the gut (n.s). A history of bowel surgery was reported by 53.3% F-CD and 54.4% M-CD (n.s). Conclusions: Oral lesions are frequent complications of CD, especially in women. These clinical important oral complications need special attention of both gastroenterologist and dentist. The observed gender differences could not to be related to clinical disease activity, bowel surgery or a decreased oral hygiene in female patients.