Characterizing disease manifestations and treatment outcomes among patients with orofacial granulomatosis in China.

BACKGROUND

Racial variation exists in the incidence of orofacial granulomatosis (OFG). The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of OFG in Asian countries are poorly described.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiologic and clinical features of OFG in China from data collected on chronic odontogenic infection and studied in actual practice regarding the long-term outcome of OFG patients receiving different treatments.

METHODS

Data on demographics, medical history, chronic odontogenic infection, and the extent of disease were collected, and long-term outcomes after the end of treatments were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 165 OFG patients, 118 (71.5%; 95% CI 64.6%-78.5%) had a chronic odontogenic infection. There was a variety of difference between OFG with and without chronic odontogenic infection. Approximately 98.3% (95% confidence interval 94.8%-100%) of OFG patients with chronic odontogenic infection who received dental treatment showed a marked response, of whom 31 patients (53.4%; 95% confidence interval 40.2%-66.7%) had complete remission.

LIMITATIONS

Endoscopic investigations were not performed for most of the patients, and more detailed data were not collected, which might have demonstrated additional systemic problems.

CONCLUSIONS

OFG with chronic odontogenic infection is the major clinical pattern of OFG in China, which may be a subtype of OFG. Dental treatment should necessarily be the preferred first-line therapy for such patients.