Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Changes in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh (India) - An Institutional Study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal changes (OML) in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh and to determine possible associations of OML with respect to age, gender and habits. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 3035 patients collected from outpatients seeking dental treatment in department of Oral Medicine and radiology. The subjects were interviewed by trained interviewers and underwent a clinical examination of the oral mucosa performed according to WHO guidelines. A specially prepared color atlas of OML was used for lesion recognition and confirmation. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis utilizing the SPSS (statistical package for the social sciences) soft ware version 10.0. Pearson chi-square test was applied to test the significance between mucosal changes with respect age, gender and habits. Results: The overall classification among 3035 samples showed 1042 cases presented with one or more mucosal changes/lesions/ conditions, which constituted a total of about 1489 lesions. Among 1489 lesions, 929 mucosal changes were either normal variants or developmental anomalies, 206 were traumatic lesions, 254 were tobacco induced, 22 were of infectious origin and 78 were miscellaneous conditions. Conclusion: The overall mucosal changes noted in the study was 49.06% and the most prevalent lesions were linea alba, frictional keratosis and Fordyce granules. Mucosal changes were predominantly noted in males, in buccal mucosa and in the age group of 16-30 yrs.

Prevalence study of oral mucosal lesions, mucosal variants, and treatment required for patients reporting to a dental school in North India: In accordance with WHO guidelines

“…[33] in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India, which found a total of 1489 lesions in which 929 mucosal changes were either normal mucosal variants or developmental anomalies. In another study by Jahanbani et al .,[34] oral developmental lesions were seen in 295 patients (49.3%), Fordyce granules only (27.9%), fissured tongue (12.9%), leukoedema (12.5%), and hairy tongue (8.9%).…”

Epidemiology, control and prevention of tobacco induced oral mucosal lesions in India

“…The prevalence in India varies from 0.4% to 9.5%. [14] Results obtained from other studies showed prevalence rates of 1.18%, [2] 0.89%, [3] and 4.4%. [17] These lesions are more prevalent in men due to increased usage of tobacco smoke among them.…”

“…[15] Indian studies have shown prevalence rates of 0.25%, [3] 0.84%, [17] and 0.13%. [2] Refraining from habit or repeated washing clears the stain and discontinuance of the betel quid chewing habits leads to nearly complete clearance of the encrustation. [14] Leukedema is a chronic white mucosal condition in which the oral mucosa has a grey opaque appearance.…”

“…[14] Other results of epidemiological survey showed prevalence rates of 3.7%, [17] 0.25%, [3] and 2.6%. [2] Smoker's palate is also known as leukokeratosisnicotina palate and is a common reaction of palatal mucosa to smoking. Clinically the lesion appear as diffuse white patch with numerous excrescences having central red dots corresponding to minor salivary gland ducts.…”

“…The frequency of the lesions increases with heavy usage of cigarette smoke. Literature review have shown prevalence rates of 3.5%, [2] 1.14%, [3] 2.3% [1] and 4.17%. [18] Most of the studies have reported smokers' melanosis as the most frequently encountered oral mucosal lesion.…”