Clinical and pathologic factors associated with the relapse of fibrous gingival hyperplasia

Background: The association between clinicopathologic characteristics and the relapse of fibrous gingival hyperplasia is unknown. Methods: The records of 211 consecutive patients with a clinicopathologic diagnosis of fibrous gingival hyperplasia were retrieved. Patients who experienced relapse after surgical excision of the lesion were considered case patients (n = 30). All control patients were informed that there was no recurrence (n = 181). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations among different characteristics and the recurrence. Stratified analyses on sex was applied to identify the different associations. Results: Binary logistic regression showed that patients with ulcer (odds ratio [OR], 3.23; 95% CI, 1.18 to 8.83) or mechanical stimulation (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.03 to 5.68) had a higher risk of experiencing recurrence. Stratified analysis of sex identified significant association in females (ulcer: OR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.14 to 14.34; mechanical stimulation: OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.15 to 9.42). No significant difference was observed in males (ulcer: OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 0.40 to 15.06; mechanical stimulation: OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.28 to 9.40). Male patients with larger epulides had fewer recurrence (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.74). There was no significant difference in pathologic calcification between case and control patients (P >.05). Conclusions: Patients with ulcer and mechanical stimulation may have a high risk of experiencing recurrent epulis. Practical Implications: More attention should be paid to patients with ulcer and mechanical stimulation. Apart from complete surgical removal, it is important to remove local stimulation to prevent recurrence of these lesions.