Oral manifestations of leprosy.

A total of 37 out of 187 patients with leprosy had oral lesions. All were biopsied. Oral lesions were found most frequently in patients with lepromatous leprosy. Prevalence of oral lesions was higher in males than in females (73%:27%). Oral lesions were recorded on the WHO topographical map, and in most cases (92%) several topographical locations were affected, including hard palate in all cases. Topographical locations affected increase with age; males are more extensively affected than females (p = 0.001); and patients with oral lesions who reported affected family members (11 out of 37) had more extensive oral lesions than those who did not. In 27 cases with oral lesions histopathological diagnosis was possible.