Search

Chronic cheilitis (CC) is a spectrum of inflammatory changes of unknown etiology that affect the vermilion of the lips. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, clinical presentations and risk factors of CC. Patients with CC were recruited from the National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease of China. A convenience sample of inhabitants who live in the same geographical region were recruited as the control group. The lip skin transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance of CC patients were compared with that of age- and gender-matched controls. Our results demonstrated that of the 109 patients with CC, 72 (66.1%; 95% CI: 57.0–75.1%) were female. The common clinical presentations of CC consisted of desquamation (n = 99; 90.8%), and/or chapping (n = 81; 74.3%), and/or pruritus (n = 64; 58.7%). Multivariable analysis showed that allergic dermatologic diseases (P < 0.001; OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 2.4–8.4), anemia (P = 0.001; OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.5–7.5), and indoor/outdoor alternate working environment (P < 0.001; OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5–2.8) were the significant risk factors for CC. The mean lip skin TEWL was found to be significantly higher, while the capacitance was lower in CC patients compared to that of control individuals. This study provides insights into the etiopathogenesis of CC and may help clinicians to identify the most effective management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of major aphthous ulcers (MjOU) in children and analyze its potential risk factors. Materials and methods: Data were collected from the National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases of China between 2012 and 2017. Children younger than 15 years old, who had a giant mucosa ulcer (≥ 1 cm in diameter) and met the diagnostic criteria for MjOU were included in this study. Differences were compared between two subgroups of patients based on the location of the ulcerous lesions. A measurement of ratio (TBR) between the length of the mandibular second molar tooth germ and the height of the mandible was performed in children with MjOU lesions located in the mandibular retromolar pad region (MjOU-P) and their age- and sex-matched controls. Results: A total of 1067 children were diagnosed with oral ulcers during the study period, of which 125 (11.7%, 95% CI: 9.8%–13.7%) met the diagnostic criteria for MjOU. More than half (n = 64, 51.2%) of the MjOU cases were MjOU-P, which had a male predilection (n = 52, 81.3%) with a significant majority at 7 to 9 years of age (n = 43, 67.2%). In comparison to the MjOU located in other regions, MjOU-P lasted longer in duration and had more comorbidities. Logistic regression analysis showed that MjOU-P was statistically significantly associated with TBR controlling age and gender. Conclusions: MjOU-P is a predominant form of MjOU in children and is a distinct subgroup of major ulcers that is likely associated with the development of the mandibular second molars. Clinical relevance: This study is the first to describe the demographic and clinical features of MjOU in children, which may facilitate the identification and treatment of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]