Objective: Since the aetiologies of cheilitis are broad and overlapping, the purpose of this cross-sectional clinical study was to examine the multiple factors involved in aetiology and the disease's clinical features.
Subjects and methods: We analysed cheilitis prevalence, demography, clinical features, patients' habits, psychological stress, systemic diseases, vitamin B9, B12 and iron serum levels and allergy test results in a total of 130 subjects with cheilitis, plus 22 healthy subjects.
Results: The most common cheilitis types were: cheilitis simplex and eczematous cheilitis (28.5%); herpetic cheilitis (16.9%); and exfoliative and angular cheilitis (7.7%). Concerning bad habits, there was a significant association/connection between self-reported saliva at the corners of the mouth and angular cheilitis, and between lip licking/biting and exfoliative cheilitis. Common associated conditions were skin diseases (56.5%) and atopy (84%). Vitamin B9 and B12 serum and iron values were mostly within the normal reference range. The patients suffering from herpetic cheilitis had significantly higher psychological/mental stress levels than the control group.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study of cheilitis patients that has simultaneously analysed aetiological factors, characteristics of the disease and diagnostic parameters.
Keywords: aetiology; allergy; cheilitis; comorbidity; habits; mental stress; vitamins.
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