Diagnostic Delay in Desquamative Gingivitis: An Observational Cohort Study.

Area of Science:

• Oral medicine
• Periodontology
• Dental diagnostics

Background:

• Non-plaque-induced gingivitis presents diverse conditions, challenging recognition and leading to diagnostic delays.
• Desquamative gingivitis is a common manifestation requiring timely and accurate diagnosis.
• Understanding factors influencing diagnostic delay is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate diagnostic delay in patients with desquamative gingivitis.
• To identify factors associated with diagnostic delay in non-plaque-induced gingivitis.
• To inform strategies for reducing diagnostic delays in oral medicine.

Main Methods:

• Observational study recruiting patients from public and private oral medicine centers.
• Questionnaire-based data collection on demographics, social factors, and clinical information.
• Statistical analysis using Student's t-test to identify associations with diagnostic delay (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• Mean diagnostic delay was 10 months across 86 enrolled patients.
• Diagnostic delay was significantly higher in private centers (11.19 months) vs. public centers (8.75 months).
• Increased distance (>34 km) from the diagnostic center also correlated with longer diagnostic delays.

Conclusions:

• Proximity to specialized diagnostic centers is a key factor in reducing diagnostic delay.
• The type of center (public vs. private) influences the timeliness of diagnosis for desquamative gingivitis.
• Optimizing access to care can mitigate diagnostic delays for non-plaque-induced gingivitis.