title: Evaluation of the orofacial lesions in treated leprosy patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leprosy is primarily a disease of developmental countries. About 4 million people have or are disabled by leprosy. Eighty-six percent of leprosy patients reside in Southeast Asia and Brazil. India accounts for up to 70% of total cases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the incidence of orofacial lesions in treated leprosy patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty treated leprosy patients were examined clinically and the percentage of orofacial lesions were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On evaluating the orofacial lesions, incidence of hypopigmentation on face and oral mucosa were highest (63%) followed by depressed nasal bridge and fissured tongue (33%). The incidence of crenated tongue was seen to be the lowest (3.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orofacial lesions in leprosy patients develop insidiously, generally are asymptomatic and are secondary to nasal changes. Oral lesions may contribute to the diagnosis of the disease and be attributed to involvement of Mycobacterium leprae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Pooja
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanishree
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shamala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ravikumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Anila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koneru
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Santhosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunasgi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Navodaya Dental College, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Surekha
keywords: Leprosy; multibacillary; orofacial lesions; paucibacillary