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

Objectives: To determine prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a cross-sect ional study among aging Germans. Methods: Three specially trained dental te ams 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 a nd 30 in the former East part of Germany. The spectrum comprised 28 differe nt oral lesions with subforms. Results: 655 individuals in Group 1 (35-44 y rs) 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. Sever al 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%), hi story 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 lab ial 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 as sociation between the prevalence of leukoplakia and a lower (3.3%) or highe r 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 we re 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<0.0 01). Conclusions: The present study has shown prevalence to be comparable t o other relevant Western European studies. Since the spectrum of oral mucos al lesions changes with age and increases with general morbidity, routine e xaminations of oral cavities of the aging are mandatory particularly to det ect early precancerous and other mucosal lesions.