Prevalence and predictive risk factor analysis of potentially malignant oral mucosal lesions among gond tribes of Bhopal

Introduction: India ranks second in the total incidence of oral cancer. The purpose of the present study is to identify the predictive risk factors for potentially premalignant oral mucosal lesions among a vulnerable Indigenous community in Bhopal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design with a prevalidated questionnaire including the demographic characteristics, tobacco usage, and other predictive risk factors was used to survey subjects aged between 15 and 75 years, both males and females of the Gond community in the Bhopal division. Type III Oral examination was conducted to determine oral mucosal changes. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were done to estimate the prevalence of oral premalignant mucosal lesions (OPMLs) and the demographic characteristics of participants. Chi-square statistics was employed to analyze the association between predictive risk factors and with the prevalence of oral premalignant lesions. Linear logistic regression was done to correlate the significance of predictive risk factors of OPMLs. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A statistically significant association for OPMLs was observed with tobacco use, alcohol, and tobacco with alcohol usage and gender ( P = 0.00). OPMLs do not show any significant association with trauma, oral ulcers, or dentures ( P ≥ 0.05). The most common lesion identified was leukoplakia (39.1%), followed by Oral sub mucous fibrosis (33.33%) and both (16.66%). Lesions were most commonly seen on the buccal mucosa (60.3%), followed by the tongue (21.8%) and alveolar ridge/gingiva (9.6%). Logistic regression of predictive risk factors showed a significant correlation of OPMLs with smokeless, smoking, alcohol, and tobacco with alcohol usage. Conclusion: There is a higher burden of OPMLs and increased tobacco consumption observed in the Gond community residing in the rural areas of Bhopal. The increased burden of tobacco usage and oral mucosal lesions needs to be addressed, and interventions, including tobacco cessation counseling and awareness of oral hygiene practices, should be made feasible for the problem.