OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the light-touch sensation of the oral mucosa in leprosy patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 228 adults, 133 being leprosy patients and 95 normal controls. To assess light-touch sensation, the five-filament standard Semmes-Weinstein kit in eight regions of the oral mucosa was used. Chi-square test was used to verify the differences in responses between the studied groups. RESULTS: Normal sensation was predominant in both groups, and diminished sensation was found also in the nonleprosy group. Normal controls showed diminished light-touch sensation in at least one point, which may be attributed to the definition of sensation normality. The chi-square test revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.43171). Severe diminished sensation was detected only in the leprosy group. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that altered light-touch sensation in the oral cavity may not be a common feature in leprosy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Decreased or lost sensation in skin lesions is a paramount in leprosy diagnosis; however, clinicians must be aware that this seems not to be true in the oral mucosa in leprosy cases for diagnosis purpose.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the light-touch sensation of the oral mucosa in leprosypatients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 228 adults, 133 being leprosypatients and 95 normal controls. To assess light-touch sensation, the five-filament standard Semmes-Weinstein kit in eight regions of the oral mucosa was used. Chi-square test was used to verify the differences in responses between the studied groups. RESULTS: Normal sensation was predominant in both groups, and diminished sensation was found also in the nonleprosy group. Normal controls showed diminished light-touch sensation in at least one point, which may be attributed to the definition of sensation normality. The chi-square test revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.43171). Severe diminished sensation was detected only in the leprosy group. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that altered light-touch sensation in the oral cavity may not be a common feature in leprosy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Decreased or lost sensation in skin lesions is a paramount in leprosy diagnosis; however, clinicians must be aware that this seems not to be true in the oral mucosa in leprosy cases for diagnosis purpose.
Authors: W J Fokkens; G J Nolst Trenite; M Virmond; A KleinJan; V L Andrade; N G van Baar; B Naafs Journal: Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis Date: 1998-09
Authors: Wim H van Brakel; Peter G Nicholls; Loretta Das; Pramila Barkataki; Sujai K Suneetha; Rupendra S Jadhav; Pranava Maddali; Diana N J Lockwood; Einar Wilder-Smith; K V Desikan Journal: Lepr Rev Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 0.537