[[[ 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.
Evaluation of light-touch sensation in the buccal mucosa of leprosy patients
한국 무좀 환자의 구강 점막의 가벼운 손가락 감각 평가
[Category] 한센병,
[Article Type] journal-article
[Source] pubmed
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