ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To describe the natural history and factors influencing diagnostic delays among patients with autoimmune blistering diseases of the mouth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 27 newly diagnosed patients were interviewed, and professional and patient delays were calculated. Disease extent and severity scores were determined using Saraswat scoring system. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were interviewed and examined. Patient delay was significantly longer in patients who had desquamative gingivitis as initial presentation, in those who tried to use home remedies and over the counter medications, and in patients with less severe disease. Most patients (n = 21 [77.7%]) made more than one consultation, and the mean time needed to reach a definitive diagnosis (i.e. professional delay) was 83.2 ± 21.4 days (range from 21 to 130 days). Professional delay was significantly correlated with the number of previous consultations (r = .78) and was significantly longer in patients who had desquamative gingivitis as initial presentation. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of oral blistering diseases is often delayed. Diagnostic delay is more common in patients presenting with desquamative gingivitis and those with less severe disease. Improving patients and healthcare professionals' awareness about oral blistering diseases might help reduce diagnostic delay.
Subject(s)
Delayed Diagnosis , Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis/diagnosis , Mouth Diseases/diagnosis , Paraneoplastic Syndromes/diagnosis , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/diagnosis , Pemphigus/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Mouth Diseases/pathology , Paraneoplastic Syndromes/pathology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/pathology , Pemphigus/pathology , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We examined the content of YouTube(™) videos on mouth (oral) cancer and evaluated their usefulness in promoting early detection of oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of YouTube(™) for videos containing information on mouth cancer was conducted using the keywords 'mouth cancer' and 'oral cancer'. Demographics of videos, including type, source, length, and viewers' interaction, were evaluated, and three researchers independently assessed the videos for usefulness in promoting early detection of oral cancer. RESULTS: A total of 188 YouTube(™) videos (152 patient-oriented educational videos and 36 testimonial videos) were analyzed. The overall usefulness score ranged from 0 to 10 (mean = 3.56 ± 2.44). The most useful videos ranked late on the viewing list, and there was no significant correlation between video usefulness and viewing rate, viewers' interaction, and video length. Videos uploaded by individual users were less useful compared with videos uploaded by professional organizations or by healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and professional organizations have a responsibility for improving the content of YouTube(™) about mouth cancer by uploading useful videos, and directing patients to reliable information sources.
