Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among elderly Indian patients: A retrospective study

Oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are common in elderly populations and often linked to risk factors such as tobacco use and denture wearing. Hence, this retrospective study analyzed clinical records of 354 Indian patients aged 60 years and above to identify the prevalence and distribution of OMLs. The overall prevalence was 54.7%, with leukoplakia (19.5%), lichen planus (17.8%), malignancy (13.0%), and denture stomatitis (9.0%) being the most frequent findings. Tobacco use and denture wearing showed significant associations with lesion occurrence, whereas sex and systemic diseases were not related. These findings highlight the considerable burden of OMLs among elderly Indian patients and emphasize the need for preventive care, habit modification, and improved denture hygiene to reduce disease risk.