ORAL MUCOSAL LESIONS IN PATIENTS FROM CLINICS OF THE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF ANTIOQUIA, MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> To our knowledge, there are no studies in Colombia that describe the frequency of oral mucosal lesions. Only the ENSAB IV evaluated potentially malignant lesions and lesions associated with a removable prosthesis. <h3>Objective</h3> The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of oral mucosal lesions and their risk indicators in patients attending clinics of the School of Dentistry, University of Antioquia. <h3>Methods</h3> Structured interviews, clinical examination, and a biopsy, if deemed necessary, were conducted in a nonprobabilistic sample of 539 patients. <h3>Results</h3> Eight hundred forty mucosal lesions were found in 409 patients (75.9%). The average age was 35.26 years (SD = 23.4); 69.7% of patients were female. The most frequent lesions were exfoliative cheilitis (17.4%), frictional keratosis (15.4%), and vascular lesions (11.5%). In exploring the relationship between the number of lesions and sociodemographic characteristics and habits, a correlation was found with age (<i>P</i> = .001), use of removable appliances (<i>P</i> = .042), type of appliance (<i>P</i> = .001), and the variable "you have seen or felt something in your mouth" (<i>P</i> = .004). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The most frequent lesions in this study were exfoliative cheilitis. There was a low percentage of potentially malignant disorders, and no malignant lesions were found. In the teaching programs of dentistry and even to establish the diagnosis of presumption, it is necessary to know the frequency of lesions of the oral mucosa in the region.