Characterization of the frenulum and aspects of the tongue of individuals with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a progressive, systemic autoimmune disease of unknown and relatively rare etiology. It is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen in the connective tissue, by the thickening of the skin, involvement of internal noble organs and the stomatognathic system. Objective: To characterize the frenulum and aspects of the tongue of individuals with systemic sclerosis. Method: This is a clinical, observational, case-report exploratory study. A clinical study of the frenum and aspects of the tongue was carried out with a study group composed of eleven subjects, of both sexes from the Rheumatology Department of the University Hospital in partnership with the study group on orofacial motor, both from the Federal University of Sergipe, and a control group matched in number, age and sex, without rheumatic diseases, selected for convenience. The data collection period was three months (from September to December 2017). Results: The study group sample revealed clinical changes in the thickness, size and color of the lingual frenum, as well as in the language aspects of individuals with systemic sclerosis, such as hypertonia, altered tongue tip shape when elevated, telangiectasia among others with lesser occurrence. Conclusion: The altered characteristics of the frenulum and the tongue of the subjects with this affection evidences the impairment of the stomatognathic system and the importance of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences performance in Rheumatology.