Methods: Medical files of PV patients of 20 years (1985-2005) were reviewed. All PV patients' records diagnosed in 2 departments of Sheba Medical Center were evaluated. Relevant data considering age of onset, gender, ethnic background, delay in diagnosis and oral involvement were collected and evaluated using chi and t tests.
Results: 162 medical records included sufficient relevant data. Non Jews were excluded from the study.
Male to female ratio was 2:3. The mean age of onset was 52.5 (range 15-92 years). The age at onset of 64 patients (39.8%) ranged between 40 to 60 years. 26% were below 40 years. Only 56.3% of the patients were Ashkenazi Jews, 26.1% Eastern and 17.6% Sephardic. Age of onset was significantly lower in the non-Ashkenazi patients (50.3 and 57.6 respectively) (p=0.017). Oral lesions were initially involved in 124 (78.5%) and increased up to 90.5% throughout the course of the disease. Sites of oral involvement per se were noted in 29 (18.4%) of the patients. Mean length of delay in diagnosis was 4 months (range 0-36 months). In patients with oral presentation, diagnostic delay was insignificantly (p=0.07) shorter than in those limited to skin (3.5 compared to 6.6 months).
Conclusion: This study supports previous reports of higher occurrence among women. Age of onset among the Israeli Jews is inconsistent, and probably there is higher involvement among younger patients. The “Ashkenazian” underlining of PV is open to discussion. The extent of oral involvement emphasizes the major role of oral medicine in the diagnosis and management of PV.