Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic Sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease with fibrosis. Although its etiology and pathogenesis have not been clearly defined, it has a chronic course. Systemic sclerosis is estimated to affect approximately 300,000 people in the United States. Most commonly, it affects adults and women. Narrowing of the mouth opening and mouth pain are the two most important causes reported by adults with systemic sclerosis. In patients with systemic sclerosis, orofacial findings such as microstomy or reduced mouth opening are frequently seen. Microstomy is defined as the distance between the incisors is less than 40 millimeters. In severe microstomy, this distance is less than 30 millimeters. It is approximately 33 millimeters in adults with systemic sclerosis. Microstomy in systemic sclerosis mainly results from submucosal collagen deposits that contribute to fibrosis in the perioral tissue. Microstomy is seen in 43% to 80% of adults with systemic sclerosis. When the current literature is examined, Bongi et al. evaluated the effectiveness of face-specific programs, which are applied together with general rehabilitation programs in patients with systemic sclerosis; they demonstrated that these techniques improve disability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and facial functionality. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the mouth handicap in Systemic Sclerosis.