Journal Article

Comparison of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease characteristics between patients with malignant and non-malignant hematopoietic disorders

Liu, Zhenmin, Peng, Yan, Jiang, Qiaozhi, Zhang, Zhongming, Mei, Guocheng, Zhou, Yuxi, Wu, Tiantian, Huang, Jiaqi, Tao, Renchuan, Yong, Xiangzhi, Chen, Xinyu

2025

Overview

Objectives To characterize and compare the clinical manifestations of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders versus those with non-malignant hematopoietic disorders, and to analyze associated risk factors. Materials and methods Detailed examinations of the oral cavity were conducted in patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders ( n  = 52) and non-malignant hematopoietic disorders ( n  = 56) who developed oral cGVHD following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The severity of oral cGVHD was scored, and logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for oral cGVHD ( n  = 261). Results The incidence of oral cGVHD in patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders was significantly higher compared to those with non-malignant hematopoietic disorders (51.49% vs 35.00%, P  = 0.01). Additionally, a significantly greater proportion of patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders had an oral lesion score exceeding 5 compared to patients with non-malignant hematopoietic disorders (17/52 vs 7/56, P  < 0.0001). The median time from transplantation to the onset of oral cGVHD was earlier in patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders than in patients with non-malignant hematopoietic disorders (6 months vs 7 months, P  = 0.001). Furthermore, female donors to male recipients [OR = 1.926, 95% CI (1.07, 3.442), P  = 0.027] emerged as an independent risk factor for oral cGVHD. Conclusion Compared to patients with non-malignant hematopoietic disorders, those with malignant hematopoietic disorders exhibit a higher incidence of complications following allo-HSCT. Additionally, patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders experience a more rapid disease onset and are at a greater risk of developing severe oral cGVHD. Furthermore, female donors to male recipients represents a significant risk factor for oral cGVHD but not associated with diagnoses with benign and malignant blood disorders. Clinical relevance This study elucidates the distinct characteristics of oral cGVHD in patients with malignant hematopoietic disorders and non-malignant hematopoietic disorders, providing valuable insights for developing more precise and personalized clinical treatment strategies for these patients.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Age / Aged / Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / Allografts / Blood diseases / Blood groups / Cancer / Chronic Disease / Clinical characteristics / Complications and side effects / Dentistry / Diagnosis / Disease prevention / Donors / Erythema / Female / Females / Graft versus host disease / Graft versus host reaction / Graft vs Host Disease - etiology / Graft vs Host Disease - pathology / Hematologic Diseases - complications / Hematologic Neoplasms - complications / Hematopoietic stem cell disorders / Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - adverse effects / Hematopoietic stem cells / Hospitals / Humans / Leukemia / Male / Malignant and non-malignant hematopoietic disorders / Medical prognosis / Medicine / Middle Aged / Mouth diseases / Mouth Diseases - etiology / Mouth Diseases - pathology / Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Oral cavity / Oral chronic graft-versus-host disease / Patients / Periodontics / Quality of life / Risk Factors / Sex Factors / Stem cell transplantation / Tongue / Ulcers / Young Adult