European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

RISK FACTORS OF ORAL MUCOSAL LESIONS AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS AT DENTAL SPECIALIST CENTER IN AL-KARAMAH HOSPITAL – BAGHDAD/IRAQ

*Dr. Mina Hasan Auda, Dr. Ali Abid Hawiya, Dr. Amer Abdulkarim Abdul Rahman and Dr. Zainab Saad Al-Gherany

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral lesions in terms of sex, age, educational status, medication use, systemic diseases, the duration of denture use and tobacco or alcohol use. A total of 140 voluntary patients (74 males and 66 females), aged ≥60 years, were interviewed by one investigator for demographic data, systemic diseases, tobacco or alcohol use, denture use and the duration of denture use. The majority of the participants (87.1%) had one or more oral mucosal lesions. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 45.9% in males and 40.1% in females (P=0.97). The most common oral mucosal lesion was a sublingual varicosity in both males and females. A statistically significant difference was observed between the three age groups (60–64, 65–69, and ≥70 years) in regard to the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (P=0.02). There was a significant relationship between the presence of systemic diseases and oral mucosal lesions (P=0.001). It can be concluded that although the majority of oral mucosal lesions detected in the present study were benign, there were some patients with premalignant and malignant lesions. Therefore, periodic oral examinations for detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions are important, especially among the elderly, smokers and denture users.

Keywords: Chronic disease, dentures, elderly, oral mucosa.