Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a tertiary care centre: one-year prospective study

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Lesions of the oral cavity are very common among the general population and account for a significant number of patients in the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology. The lesions of oral cavity can cause varied symptoms like pain, dysphagia, and difficulty in speaking. The lesions can range from simple benign conditions to life threatening malignancies.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was conducted in the department of otorhinolaryngology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre from January 2019 till December 2019. All the 256 patients who presented to the outpatient department with lesions in the oral cavity during the given time period were included in the study after getting informed and written consent. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Aphthous ulcers were the most common lesion (18.7%) found in this study. Buccal mucosa (50%) and anterior 2/3<sup>rd</sup> of tongue (34.3%) were the most common sites involved. Total of 204/256 (79.6%) patient had some form of addiction which included both smoked and smokeless form of tobacco as the most common type of addiction. Among the tobacco smokers, 24/80 (30%) had pre malignant and malignant lesions while among tobacco chewers 37/76 (48.6%) had pre malignant and malignant lesions.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Lesions of the oral cavity are common among Indian population due to high prevalence of tobacco addiction. A thorough history taking and examination can detect premalignant and malignant lesions at an early stage, so that timely treatment can reduce the mortality rates in such patients.</p>