ABSTRACT

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of different types of Oral Mucosal Lesions (OMLs) and to identify the associated risk factors.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of oral diagnosis in collaboration with the department of oral pathology SIOHS, Karachi Pakistan between  January 2017 to December 2020. All cases of lesions and ulcers of the oral cavity were included in the study. Missing data were excluded. Diagnosed cases of oral mucosal lesions were documented. The data was then stratified according to the age groups, gender, symptoms, comorbidities, marital status, etc. 

Results: A mean age of 38.3 ± 11.86 years was observed. The subjects manifested multiple lesions with OSF standing as the most prevalent one at 29%, followed by aphthous ulcers at 20.2%, candidiasis at 14%, and nicotinic stomatitis at 10.4%. The majority of the patients with aphthous ulcers were significantly associated with young age while frictional keratosis was significantly associated with elderly age (p=0.002), respectively. 15 (93.8%) patients who were married were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.004) and stiffening of the mouth was significantly associated with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.0001).  

Conclusion: In conclusion, the increased occurrence of oral mucosal lesions with age is most likely attributable to an age-related decline in health status and is highly correlated to substance abuse; its amount, duration, type, and regularity.