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Clinical Oral Investigations
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations 8/2014

01-11-2014 | Original Article

Evaluation of light-touch sensation in the buccal mucosa of leprosy patients

Authors: S. N. Marta, C. Sgavioli, P. P. Saraiva, R. S. Carvalho, M. G. A. Nogueira, F. C. Monti, M. Virmond

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 8/2014

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Abstract

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.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluation of light-touch sensation in the buccal mucosa of leprosy patients
Authors
S. N. Marta
C. Sgavioli
P. P. Saraiva
R. S. Carvalho
M. G. A. Nogueira
F. C. Monti
M. Virmond
Publication date
01-11-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-013-1180-3

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