Quid-Induced Lichenoid Reactions: A Prevalence Study

Abstract

White lesions of the oral mucosa are of concern to the dental surgeon in view of the fact that some of these may be potentially malignant. Oral lichen plane: (OLP) and oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) share similar clinical appearances but need to be carefully distinguished because of their different etiologies and clinical behaviour. This study screened 5.017 population, in a house-to-house field survey, for tobacco use and investigated the prevalence of oral lichenoid reactions in the 98 quid users. Six subjects with clinical/clinical and histopathological criteria compatible with the diagnosis of OLR were identified. All these subjects were users of ′Gutka′, a unique chewable variant of tobacco quid containing areca nut and catechu. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between quid habit and lesion occurrence (p < 0.005).

Keywords

• Oral lichen planus
• Oral lichenoid reaction
• Ouid
• Gutka
• Khaini
• Catechu (Kattha).