Prevalence of oral leukoplakia in 1000 Berliners

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral leukoplakia and other oral white lesions in an urban population of non-referred patients to a department of oral surgery in the city of Berlin.
DESIGN: A total of 1000 patients over the age of 16 were evaluated for oral leukoplakia and other oral white lesions. Age, sex, and smoking as well as alcohol habits were recorded.
RESULTS: Of 506 men (50.6%) and 494 women (49.4%), 0.9% showed oral leukoplakia. Men were more frequently affected (I.6%) than women (0.2%). Patients of older age groups were more frequently affected than younger patients. Other white oral lesions were recorded such as leukoedema (8.3%), smoker's palate (0.I%), frictional white lesions (2.6%) and lichen planus (0.6%) with equal distribution between men and women.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral leukoplakia in this limited group of urban patients was low, however comparable to that of other neighbouring west European countries. Association with tobacco and alcohol consumption was demonstrated as in most other studies.     

Oral pre-cancer and the associated risk factors among industrial workers in Japan''s overseas enterprises in the UK

BACKGROUND: Screening at industries has been advocated as a method of early detection for cancer. This study describes the prevalence of oral pre-cancerous lesions and other mucosal diseases following oral mucosal screening, and associated risk factors among Japanese industrial workers in the UK. METHODS: Oral mucosal screening was by invitation at 51 industrial locations in the UK. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record socio-behavioural factors and frequency of daily intake of fruits and vegetables. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty-four subjects attended for oral mucosal screening (mean age 39.9 +/- 8.3 years) and their mean period of residence in UK was 5.3 +/- 4.5 years. 63.4% examined were male. 31.3% of males and 26.6% of females smoked daily. The gender differences were striking compared with Japan's national rates. A higher proportion of managerial staff was regular heavy (20+ per day) smokers. The intake of more than five portions per day of vegetables and/or fruits during the weekend was significantly higher in females than in males (P = 0.022). One hundred and six subjects (22%) were detected with oral mucosal lesions, including 16 leukoplakia lesions (3.3%) and three with oral lichen planus (1%). The rate of positive detections was higher in managers (7.5%). Odds ratios were estimated by socio-behavioural variables. Among subjects positive for oral leukoplakia, managers accounted for 68.8% (OR 5.26; 95% CI, 1.24-22.29). 87.5% of subjects detected with oral leukoplakia smoked daily and had done so for the past 10 years (OR 28.40; 95% CI, 5.63-143.28). Though regular alcohol drinking was a common feature among male leukoplakia cases, heavy alcohol misuse was not encountered. None reported an intake of five or more portions of fruits or vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese nationals working in managerial positions in the UK and daily regular smokers in the industries visited were found to be at a high risk of oral pre-cancer. Regular dental/oral check up and tobacco education programmes are encouraged for oral cancer/pre-cancer control in industrial settings.     

Oral health status of institutionalized elderly Cape Coloreds from the Cape Peninsula of South Africa

A study has been conducted to assess the oral health status and need for dental treatment among elderly Cape Coloreds resident in homes for the aged in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. This paper describes the prevalence of diseases of the mouth with special reference to denture-induced lesions and white lesions of the oral mucosa. Dental caries was the most prevalent oral lesion (27.2%). The most common conditions of the soft tissues were leukoedema (24.4%) and leukoplakia (4.4% for the tongue; 20.4% for the remainder of the oral mucosa). Leukoedema and leukoplakia showed statistically highly significant correlations with tobacco habits. Men more commonly had a tobacco habit than women (P less than 0.002) and leukoplakia, leukoedema and depigmented lesions of the lips were significantly more common in men than in women. No significant difference could be proven statistically when the frequency of irritative fibrous hyperplasia in females was compared with that in males.     

Oral manifestations in HIV-positive adults from Northern Thailand

Eighty-seven HIV-infected patients in a provincial hospital in Northern Thailand were examined for oral manifestations of HIV disease and AIDS. The median age was 31.3 years. Seventy-four of the patients were women, 13 were men. 96.6% had a history of heterosexual transmission. Sixty-one patients were CDC-category A, 20 were category B and 6 were category C (AIDS). Thirty-eight percent of the patients revealed oral lesions; 23% had one oral lesion and 13.8% had two oral lesions. Common lesions were oral candidiasis (10.3% pseudomembranous candidiasis, 6.9% erythematous candidiasis and 3.4% both forms), oral hairy leukoplakia (11.5%) and exfoliative cheilitis (6.9%). Gingival linear erythema was seen in 8% of the patients; periodontal lesions and necrotising ulcerative gingivitis were not observed. Men were more commonly affected by oral manifestations than women (P < 0.004). The spectrum of oral lesions is comparable to other studies from the region, although most of these reported more men than women. Also, the degree of immunosuppression was more marked (AIDS).     

Occurrence of oral leukoplakia and lichen planus in diabetes mellitus

The occurrence of oral leukoplakia and lichen planus in 1600 patients with diabetes mellitus (815 type 1: insulin-dependent, 761 type 2: non-insulin-dependent)-under care at the International Medicine Department-was studied. Precancerous lesions and conditions were diagnosed and grouped according to internationally accepted criteria. The prevalence of oral leukoplakia in diabetic patients was 6.2%, as compared to 2.2% in the healthy controls, that of oral lichen was 1.0% in the test-, and 0.0% in the control group. Leukoplakia and lichen both showed the highest occurrence in the second year of established diabetes, and their prevalence was higher among insulin-treated diabetics. Smokers were more often affected, by both kind of lesions, oral lichen showed a more frequent association with candidiasis. The prevalence of oral leukoplakia and lichen in diabetes mellitus patients was higher, than average ratios in population samples from the same country.     

Yeast species and biotypes associated with oral leukoplakia and lichen planus

Of 36 patients, 17 had oral leukoplakia, including homogeneous and nonhomogeneous types, and 19 had reticular lesions of oral lichen planus. A sample of yeast flora in each patient was taken from the pathologic lesion as well as from normal-appearing mucosa. The isolated yeasts were identified according to species level, and identification was extended beyond the species level for one species, Candida albicans, to reveal the biotype by means of the Odds and Abbott procedure comprising tests for acid and salt tolerance, proteinase production, resistance to 5-fluorocytosine and safranine, and assimilation of urea, sorbose, and citrate. Yeasts were present in the lesions of 82% of leukoplakia patients, compared to 37% of lichen planus patients, a frequency of yeasts corresponding to that in healthy adults. C. albicans was the dominating species in lesions of both diseases, constituting 82% of all yeasts in the leukoplakia lesions. In addition, the following species were identified: Candida tropicalis, Candida pintolopesii, Torulopsis glabrata, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Eighteen biotypes of C. albicans were encountered, the most frequently occurring biotypes being 355 and 177. Differences between C. albicans biotypes isolated from pathologic and normal mucosa were encountered in five of eleven leukoplakia patients and in one of three lichen planus patients. This indicates that the oral cavity comprises several ecologic niches for yeasts. As nonhomogeneous leukoplakias are more likely to develop into carcinoma than are homogeneous leukoplakias, it is interesting to note that the C. albicans biotypes isolated from nodular lesions (one type of nonhomogeneous leukoplakia)--biotypes 145, 175, and 575--rarely occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a population in Ljubljana, Slovenia

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and conditions in a population in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. A total 1609 subjects represented the study population in the survey about the periodontal treatment needs in a population in Ljubljana, conducted from 1983 to 1987. Ten years later the same 1609 subjects were invited to the second examination. Altogether, 555 (34.5%) of the invited subjects in the age range 25-75 years came for an interview and clinical examination at the Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology of the Dental Clinic in Ljubljana. Oral mucosal lesions and conditions were evaluated according to the WHO Guide to Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Oral Mucosal Diseases and Conditions. The results showed the presence of one or more mucosal lesions in 61.6% of the population. Fordyce's condition was observed the most frequently (49.7%) followed by: fissured tongue (21.1%), varices (16.2%), history of herpes labialis (16.0%), history of recurrent aphthae (9.7%), denture stomatitis (4.3%), leukoplakia (3.1%), cheek biting (2.7%), lichen planus (2.3%), frictional keratosis (2.2%), geographic tongue (2.2%), geographic and fissured tongue together (1.1%), mucocele (0.9%), smoker's palate (0.5%) and angular chelitis (0.4%). In the population examined, no oral malignancies were observed. Mucosal lesions like whitish lesions, denture related lesions, fissured tongue, varices and mucocele were more prevalent with increasing age. Tobacco-related lesions (leukoplakia and smoker's palate together) were significantly more prevalent among men than among women (P<0.05), while lichen planus, denture stomatitis and herpes labialis occurred more frequently in the female population.     

Prevalence of oral leukoplakia and lichen planus in 1167 Iranian textile workers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of oral precancerous lesions in textile workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess a total of 1167 textile factory workers randomly selected from a total of 6947. An overall 97 women and 1070 men aged 18-69 years (mean=31.8 years) were studied. Regular smoking during the past 6 months was considered as the smoker group. Leukoplakia lesions were classified in accordance to Axell criteria [Axell T, Pindborg JJ, Smith CJ and Van-der-waal I (1996). J Oral Pathol Med 25: 49]. RESULTS: The results showed that 115 workers (9.9%) had red and white lesions. Among these 43 positive detections (3.7%) had leukoplakia and six cases (0.5%) had lichen planus. The smoking habits of the workers were limited to cigarette smoking. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between tobacco smoking and oral leukoplakia (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between tobacco smoking and leukoplakia in this relatively young cohort with generally mild tobacco use. The prevalence of leukoplakia had an inverse relationship with the level of education.     

Oral lesions associated with HIV/AIDS in HIV‐seropositive patients attending a counselling and treatment centre in Dar es Salaam

Objective: To assess the prevalences and patterns of oral lesions occurring in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 200 people living with HIV/AIDS (PlwHA) who regularly attended a counselling and treatment centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A questionnaire‐guided interview and clinical oral assessment were used. Strict confidentiality and adherence to ethical codes were observed. Results: The mean age of participants was 38.91 years (standard deviation: 10.424; mode: 35 years; median: 37.0 years; range: 15–76 years). Most participants (58.5%) were aware of predispositions towards the occurrence of oral lesions such as oral candidiasis (60.0%) in HIV/AIDS and most of these (72.0%) were aware that the lesions are treatable. Some participants reported occurrences of oral thrush (22.5%) and lip ulcerations (28.5%), although only 47.0% of these had sought medical advice. Examinations revealed that 29.0% of participants had at least one oral lesion associated with HIV/AIDS. Prevalences of the various types of lesion were: 11.5% for herpes simplex; 7.5% for oral candidiasis; 4.0% for oral hairy leukoplakia; 3.5% for Kaposi’s sarcoma; 1.5% for dry mouth; 0.5% for angular cheilitis, and 0.5% for acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis. Herpes simplex and Kaposi’s sarcoma were more frequently observed in males (56.5% and 71.4%, respectively), whereas oral candidiasis and dry mouth were observed more often in females (86.7% and 66.7%, respectively) (χ² = 16.692, P = 0.016). Conclusions: Prevalences of oral lesions associated with HIV/AIDS in PlwHA and using antiretroviral therapy are persistent, of moderate intensity and vary according to individual immune status. These patients’ level of awareness about oral lesions was satisfactory, but formal medicodental lines of management were not prioritised. Contemporary protocol for the management of oral lesions should be understood and disseminated to the general public by dentists.     

Oral mucosal lesions in a representative cross-sectional study of aging Germans

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a cross-sectional study among aging Germans. METHODS: Three specially trained dental teams examined adults (35-44 yrs, Group 1) and senior individuals (65-74 yrs, Group 2) in 90 sample points of which 60 were located in the former West and 30 in the former East part of Germany. The spectrum comprised 28 different oral lesions with subforms. RESULTS: 655 individuals in Group 1 (35-44 yrs) and 1367 individuals in Group 2 (65-74 yrs) were studied. 33.8% (Group 1) and 33.9% (Group 2) were without any pathology of the oral mucosa. Several lesions were not recorded in both Groups like oral hairy leukoplakia and gingival hyperplasia (Group 1 and two) and xerostomia (Group 1). In Group 1 history for labial herpetic lesions (31.7%), Fordyce granules (26.6%), history for recurrent aphthous ulceration (18.3%) and lip and/or cheek biting (10.1%) were recorded. In Group 2 Fordyce granules (23.7%), history of labial herpes (20.0%), plicated tongue (19.0%) and denture stomatitis (18.3%) were those lesions most frequently recorded. Leukoplakia was seen in 1.8% (West) and 0.9% (East) respectively; men were more often affected than women (2.3% versus 0.0% P<0.05, Group 1; 2.3% versus 0.9%, Group 2. There was association between the prevalence of leukoplakia and a lower (3.3%) or higher educational level (0.5%). Denture associated lesions were seen in 18.3% (Group 2) compared to 2.5% (Group 1) (P<0.001). Other age-related lesions were lip and/or cheek biting being more prevalent in Group 1 10.1% versus 1.9% (P<0.001), plicated tongue 19.0% in Group 2 versus 3.8% in Group 1 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study has shown prevalence to be comparable to other relevant Western European studies. Since the spectrum of oral mucosal lesions changes with age and increases with general morbidity, routine examinations of oral cavities of the aging are mandatory particularly to detect early precancerous and other mucosal lesions.     

Low prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in HIV-1 seropositive African women

In Nairobi (Kenya) 334 women prostitutes of whom 80.5% were HIV-1 positive, were examined for oral mucosal lesions; 15.6% of seropositive, and 4.6% of seronegative, women had oral mucosal lesions, predominantly oral candidiasis. In the seropositives, 8.6% had erythematous, 1.1% had hyperplastic candidiasis, and 0.4% had hairly leukoplakia as the only oral lesions; 0.4% had a combination of erythematous and hyperplastic candidiasis, and 1.5% had combinations of pseudomembranous and erythematous candidiasis in the presence of hairly leukoplakia. Of the 211 seropositive women for whom we knew the first date on which a positive serologic test was obtained, the likelihood of developing an oral mucosal lesion was found to be dependent on the duration of seropositivity. The low incidence of oral mucosal lesions in this population may be due to the relatively recent acquisition of HIV-1 infection.     

Occurrence of leukoplakia and some other oral white lesions among 20 333 adult Swedish people

Among 20,333 people aged 15 yr or above, the prevalences of oral white lesions were calculated based on a partly new classification. The total prevalences were: cheek and lip biting 5.1%, smoker's palate 1.1%, frictional white lesion 5.5%, snuff dipper's lesion 8.0%, preleukoplakia 6.4% and leukoplakia 3.6%. If all these lesions were pooled, the prevalence was 24.8% and if only the entities cheek and lip biting and smoker's palate were excluded it became 20.1%. If weak "preleukoplakic" lesions were excluded from the latter figure the prevalence for marked whitish lesions was 13.8%. Etiologic and clinical subgroups of leukoplakia showed the following prevalences: using the etiologic subgroups, idiopathic leukoplakia 0.7% and tobacco-associated leukoplakia 2.9%; using the clinical subgroups, homogeneous leukoplakia 3.5% and non-homogeneous leukoplakia 0.3%. The intraoral location pattern of leukoplakias was preponderant in the commissural and buccal areas. However, the idiopathic leukoplakias showed a somewhat more even distribution and thus a more similar distribution to that of oral cancer.     

Leukoedema in addicts to coca leaves in Humahuaca, Argentina

ABSTRACT The oral mucosa of 301 subjects of both sexes, aged 30 to 87 years and living in Humahuaca, in the province of Jujuy, nothern Argentina, was studied for leukoedema and leukoplakia. One hundred and fifty of these persons were addicted to chewing coca leaves. One hundred and fifty-one non-addicts served as controls. Prevalences of 61.3 % for leukoedema and 21.3 % for leukoplakia were reported in the study group. In the control group the prevalences were 9.2 % and 3.9 % for leukoedema and leukoplakia, respectively. The localization of lesions in the study group always coincided with where the coca leaf bolus is habitually kept. In general, the histopathologic pictures were compatible with leukoedema. This confirms previous findings about the effects on the oral mucosa of chewing coca leaves and also the benign character of leukoedema provoked by this irritant.     

Association between proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and infection with human papillomavirus type 16

Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a recently described clinical entity characterized by multifocal oral lesions that frequently progress to oral cancer despite abstinence from tobacco use by most patients. To determine if this condition is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HPV DNA was performed on 9 lesions from 7 patients with PVL, histologically diagnosed with focal keratosis (1), papilloma (1), epithelial dysplasia (5) and squamous cell cancer (2). Eight (89%) were HPV positive, 7 for HPV 16. For comparison, we studied 55 non-PVL-associated oral specimens, including 24 oral squamous cell cancers. Of the cancers, 8 (33%) were HPV positive, 4 for HPV 16. These data suggest that HPV 16 infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PVL-associated oral dysplasia and possibly cancer, but is found in only a small proportion of the more common, non-PVL associated-oral lesions.     

The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients visiting a dental school in Southern India.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in Manipal, Karnataka State, India. A total of 1190 subjects who visited the department of oral medicine and radiology for diagnosis of various oral complaints over a period of 3 months were interviewed and clinically examined for oral mucosal lesions. The result showed the presence of one or more mucosal lesions in (41.2%) of the population. Fordyce's condition was observed most frequently (6.55%) followed by frictional keratosis (5.79%), fissured tongue (5.71%), leukoedema (3.78%), smoker's palate (2.77%), recurrent aphthae, oral submucous fibrosis (2.01%), oral malignancies (1.76%), leukoplakia (1.59%), median rhomboid glossitis (1.50%), candidiasis (1.3%), lichen planus (1.20%), varices (1.17%), traumatic ulcer and oral hairy leukoplakia (1.008%), denture stomatitis, geographic tongue, betel chewer's mucosa and irritational fibroma (0.84%), herpes labialis, angular cheilitis (0.58%), and mucocele (0.16%). Mucosal lesions like tobacco-related lesions (leukoplakia, smoker's palate, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral malignancies) were more prevalent among men than among women. Denture stomatitis, herpes labialis, and angular cheilitis occurred more frequently in the female population.     

Oral lesions and conditions associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection in 300 south Indian patients

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a major health problem in India. The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) of India reports a seropositivity of 25.03 per thousand for the whole country, as of October 1999. In spite of this high prevalence there are very few reports of oral lesions and conditions in Indian HIV/AIDS patients, which are important in early diagnosis and management of these patients. OBJECTIVE AND SETTING: The present report describes the oral lesions in 300 HIV positive symptomatic patients presenting to us at RAGAS-YRG CARE, a non-governmental organisation in Chennai, South India, over a period of 9 months in 1998. METHOD: Lesions were diagnosed on clinical appearance using international criteria. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients 89% had acquired the infection through heterosexual contact. There were 205 males and 95 females, aged from 7 months to 72 years. Forty-seven percent of the patients were in the age group 21-30 years. CD4 counts were ascertained for 105 patients, 64 (62%) had CD4 counts < or = 200. A total of 217 (72%) of the 300 patients had some oral lesion when examined. Gingivitis (47%) and pseudomembranous candidiasis (33%) were the most common oral lesions. The other oral lesions seen were oral mucosal pigmentation (23%), erythematous candidiasis (14%), periodontitis (9%), angular cheilitis (8%), oral ulcers (3%), oral hairy leukoplakia (3%), hyperplastic candidiasis (1%), oral submucous fibrosis (2%) and one case of leukoplakia. CONCLUSIONS: Oral lesions occur commonly in HIV infection. A comprehensive oral examination may not only suggest HIV disease but may also be useful in monitoring the disease progression. This is a cost-effective procedure, which may be useful in screening large populations in developing countries like India.     

Oral manifestations in HIV/AIDS infected patients from India

OBJECTIVES: To assess types and prevalence of HIV-related oral lesions among HIV-infected individuals in south India and to correlate common oral findings with co-morbidities, gender, age and medication. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and one patients with HIV infection or AIDS at infectious diseases units of Attavar Hospital, Mangalore, and medical wards of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, were selected. Sociodemographic information was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Oral lesions were diagnosed according to the presumptive criteria of EEC-Clearinghouse Classification. Clinical history was retrieved from patient's medical records. RESULTS: Erythematous candidiasis (44.5%), melanotic hyperpigmentaion (34.6%) and xerostomia (29.7%) were among the most common oral manifestations. A significant association was found between oral candidiasis and advanced immunosuppression (P < 0.05). Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) was predominant in individuals <35 years (P < 0.05). Melanotic hyperpigmentation was significantly associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (P < 0.05). OHL was more frequent in patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis. Linear gingival erythema was more predominant in females. CONCLUSIONS: Oral hairy leukoplakia showed a positive relationship with patients younger than 35 years. Oral candidiasis can act as a marker for immunosuppression. Angular cheilitis was predominant in the symptomatic stage.     

Oral lesions in Mexican HIV-infected patients

One hundred and twenty-five HIV-infected patients, of whom 49 (39%) were at early stages of the infection (CDC-II & III) and 76 (61%) in CDC IV, were prospectively examined. In 100 (80%) one or more oral mucosal lesions were observed; candidiasis (51%) and hairy leukoplakia (43%) were the commonest. Erythematous candidiasis was more often seen (35%) than the pseudomembranous type (16%), and appeared with the higher values at early than later stages. The prevalence of hairy leukoplakia, oral hyperpigmentation and xerostomia were incremented in groups CDC-IV. Pseudomembranous candidiasis and exfoliative cheilitis increased significantly with severity of disease. Our study demonstrates that oral alterations associated to HIV are a frequent finding, both at early (76%) and late (83%) stages of the infection in Mexican patients.     

Oral precancerous disorders associated with areca quid chewing, smoking, and alcohol drinking in southern Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and the associated risk factors of oral precancerous disorders in southern Taiwan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional community survey interviewing 1075 adult subjects, 15 years of age and over, gathered from randomly selected 591 households, and spanning five villages in southern Taiwan. The study protocol included a visual oral soft tissue examination and a questionnaire-based interview. The chi-square test was used to test the differences in prevalence of oral precancerous lesions and conditions by different "life styles" relating to current risk habits of current areca quid chewing, smoking, and alcohol drinking. To control for possible confounding, a logistic regression model was used to estimate the Odds Ratios (OR) for leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). RESULTS: 136 precancerous lesions and conditions were detected among 1075 subjects (12.7%). The analysis of the spectrum of oral precancerous disorders detected, leukoplakia (n = 80), OSF (n = 17) and verrucous lesions (n = 9), demonstrated an association with gender (P < 0.001). There were statistically significant associations among leukoplakia (P < 0.01), OSF (P < 0.0001), and verrucous lesions (P < 0.0001) and the life style of current areca quid chewing, smoking, and alcohol drinking. The synergistic effect of smoking and areca quid chewing habit on leukoplakia and OSF was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the association of current areca quid chewing without tobacco, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking to leukoplakia, OSF, and verrucous lesions in Taiwan.     

Comparison of oral lesion prevalence in renal transplant patients under immunosuppressive therapy and healthy controls

Objective:  The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of oral lesions in a group of renal transplant patients (RTPs) compared with healthy controls (HCs).
Subjects and methods:  The study included 500 RTPs (307 men, 193 women, mean age 53.63 years) and 501 HCs (314 men, 187 women, mean age 52.25 years). Demographic and pharmacologic data were recorded for all subjects.
Results:  Forty percent of the RTPs presented with oral lesions compared to 23.4% of HCs. The most frequent lesion was candidiasis (7.4% in RTPs, 4.19% in HCs). Lip herpes simplex lesions were observed in 2.6% of RTPs and 2.2% of HCs; aphthae were observed in 2.2% of RTPs and 1% of HCs. Xerostomia prevalence was significantly greater in RTPs than HCs (1.4% vs 0.2%). Lichen planus appeared in 0.6% of RTPs, and one RTP suffered from hairy leukoplakia.
Conclusions:  We report a lower prevalence of oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia in RTPs than previous reports and describe other oral conditions not presented before in prevalence studies of RTPs, such as xerostomia, aphthous ulcers and lichen planus. These oral lesion changes in RTPs and the risk of malignancy emphasize the importance of regular oral screening in these patients.