Characteristics of oral mucosal lesions and their association with socioeconomic status and systemic health in a remote rural area in China: a cross-sectional study of 146 cases

Background: Epidemiological data of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are required to develop practical oral care policies. However, limited data are available for rural areas in China. We aimed to estimate the spectrum and prevalence of OMLs and to identify their associated socioeconomic status (SES) and systemic health in a remote rural area in Yunnan, China. Methods We screened patients for OMLs in an oral medicine clinic in rural Yuannan, China, from August 2020 to February 2021. OMLs were documented. SES, including the highest education level achieved and the previous month’s household income, as well as the patient’s systemic health, including a history of smoking, alcohol use, and chronic disease, were obtained from the Medical History/Health Questionnaire Form and patient medical records. Results A total of 146 patients were found to have OMLs. The most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer ( n = 41, 28.1%), followed by burning mouth syndrome (BMS) ( n = 16, 11.0%), viral ulcer ( n = 14, 9.6%), and oral lichen planus (OLP) ( n = 9, 6.2%). In these patients, the most common chronic diseases were sleep apnea ( n = 35, 24.0%), hypertension ( n = 23, 15.8%), bronchitis ( n = 16, 11.0%), reflux (including gastroesophageal reflux disease) ( n = 12, 8.2%), and arthritis ( n = 11, 7.5%). On adjusted regression, the patients without chronic diseases had a lower risk of BMS than those with chronic diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.9). Age was an independent protective factor for viral ulcers (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9–1.0). Patients with low-income levels had a lower risk of OLP than those with high-income levels (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05–0.9). Conclusions In rural Yunnan in China, the most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer, which was followed by BMS, viral ulcer, and OLP. Chronic diseases were associated with BMS. Age was an independent protective factor for oral viral ulcers. A high-income level was associated with the presence of OLP. Oral care policies should be prioritized among patients with aphthous ulcer. Preventive strategy of BMS should be targeted to people with chronic disease for health equalities.