Oral Investigation in Childhood Psoriasis: Correlation With Geographic Tongue and Disease Severity

Abstract

Background:

Childhood psoriasis affects 2% of the world pediatric population. An association between psoriasis and geographic tongue (GT) in adults has been suggested, but there are no studies in children.

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of oral lesions in pediatric patients with psoriasis (PP) and healthy controls and investigate the correlation between GT, severity, and age of psoriasis onset.

Methods:

The participants were 17 PP aged <18 years and 91 HC. The severity of vulgaris psoriasis was determined according to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and all patients underwent an oral examination.

Results:

Oral findings were present in 43% of the participants and the most common lesions were candidiasis and GT. There was a mean earlier onset in psoriasis with GT (3 years old) compared to psoriasis without GT (10 years old). The mean PASI scores in psoriasis with GT and psoriasis without GT were 9 and 3, respectively.

Conclusion:

Geographic tongue and candidiasis were frequently found in PP. Patients with psoriasis with GT are younger and have earlier onset of the disease, a positive family history of psoriasis, and a severe form of the disease. The present study is the first of its type to demonstrate clinical differences in pediatric PP with and without GT.