Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a Kenyan population with special reference to oral leukoplakia

Abstract

The prevalnce of oral leukoplakia and related lesions in a Kenyan rural population was determined in a systematic house to house survey of individuals aged 15 years and above. Among the 303 individuals examined, the following prevalence of lesions was observed: leukoedema (26%), melanosis (12.7%), leukoplakia (10.6%), palatal keratosis (6.4%), frictional keratosis (5.5%), pre-Ieukoplakia (4.1 %), borderline leukoplakia (2.4%), cheek/lip biting (1.3%), and snuff dippers Iesion (0.4%).48.6% of the subjects had at least one of these lesions. Statisticany significant preponderance was demonstrated for oral leukoplakia, palatal keratosis, leukoedema and frictional keratosis among males and melanosis among females.,With regard to clinical claassification of oral leukoplakja, the prevalence was 10% for homogeneous and 0.6% for nonhomogeneous lesions. Oil the basis of aetioiogical classillcattom the prevalence was 8.3% for tobacco associated and 2.2 % for idiopathic leukoplakia. 22.5% of leukoplakia lesions biopsied had evidence of epithelial dysplasia. In view of the pretmllignant potential of oral leukoplakia, our findings suggest a need for greater attention towards prevention and control of this lesion in the study community.