Mucosal lesions in older adults
1Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco, S-519B, Box 0422, 521 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, Calif 94143, USA. silvermans@dentistry.ucsf.edu
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|April 23, 2008
Summary
Older adults face complex oral health issues impacting quality of life. Prompt diagnosis of oral mucosal conditions, from cancer to infections, is crucial for effective management and improved patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Oral Pathology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Aging is associated with complex oral diseases affecting quality of life in older adults.
- Common conditions include oral cancers, premalignant lesions, vesiculoerosive diseases, candidiasis, aphthous ulcers, and herpes virus reactivation.
- These conditions significantly impact oral function and patient well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the complexity of oral diseases in aging individuals.
- To emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis for effective management.
- To underscore the impact of oral health on the quality of life for older adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of common oral mucosal conditions in the elderly population.
- Discussion of diagnostic challenges and differential diagnosis formulation.
- Emphasis on the role of the practitioner in managing these conditions.
Main Results:
- Recognition of diverse oral mucosal lesions is essential.
- Accurate diagnosis facilitates timely and appropriate treatment.
- Effective management can control oral diseases and improve patient quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Practitioners must formulate differential diagnoses based on oral signs and symptoms.
- Necessary tests and referrals should be arranged to establish definitive diagnoses.
- Prompt recognition and management of benign and malignant mucosal lesions accelerate proper treatment, improving quality of life for elderly patients.
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