Coeliac disease can occur at any age and present with a wide range of symptoms. Although it is typically associated with gastrointestinal issues, it can also produce extra intestinal manifestations, including those affecting the oral cavity. Common oral signs include dental enamel defects (DED), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), and glossodynia (burning mouth). A recent Finnish study evaluated the prevalence of these symptoms and their associated clinical factors in adult coeliac patients.

The aim was to assess the prevalence of oral manifestations in adults with coeliac disease and identify the factors associated with these conditions.

Key results

• Oral manifestations were significantly more common in coeliac patients than in controls, both at diagnosis and while on a gluten free diet.
• Dental enamel defects: 27% of coeliac patients vs 4% of controls
• Recurrent aphthous ulcers: experienced by 56% before diagnosis, with 69% improving on a gluten free diet
• Glossodynia: more common even on a gluten free diet (14% vs 6%)

Factors associated

• DED: long diagnostic delay, diagnosis before 1990, abdominal symptoms • RAS: female sex, abdominal symptoms • Glossodynia: female sex, abdominal symptoms

Patients with persistent oral symptoms reported more severe gastrointestinal complaints and poorer quality of life.