Prevalence of oral anatomical variations and mucosal lesions in the geriatric population of Aligarh city-A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To study the prevalence of oral mucosal variants (OMVs), oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) and to determine their association with demographic parameters, body mass index (BMI), and ABO/Rh blood group among the elderly population of Aligarh. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among elderly patients, of both genders, aged more than 60 years. Demographic data (including age, gender, marital status, and history of systemic illness) BMI, and ABO/Rh blood group were recorded. Oral examination was performed by a single oral physician, and the presence of OMVs and OMLs was recorded as Class I and Class II. Langlais and Miller's atlas was used to confirm the diagnosis. The perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to evaluate stress. Biopsy was performed if required. Data obtained were tabulated and statistically analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: A total of 989 patients were selected in the study, out of which 666 (318 OMVs and 348 OMLs) cases had oral mucosal findings. Maximum oral findings were noted in Group I (60-69 years). Fordyce granules (32.07%) were the most common OMV, while red and white lesions (43.67%) were the most common OMLs. A strong association (P < 0.005) was found between stress and vesico-bullous OMLs. 45.8% of elderly were found to be underweight. OMLs patients showed a strong association with at least two associated systemic diseases. B+ve was the most common blood group among patients with OMLs. Conclusion: We observed that geriatric oral health is strongly affected by increasing age, BMI, marital status, deleterious tobacco/betel nut chewing habits, systemic diseases, stress, and blood group.