The Analysis of the Frequency of Leukoplakia in Reference of Tobacco Smoking among Northern Polish Population

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was an updated analysis of the frequency of leukoplakia in reference to tobacco smoking among the northern Polish population. Material and Methods: Medical records of 5720 patients who suffer from abnormalities and oral mucosa diseases between January 2015–December 2018 were analyzed. Among them, 416 medical charts of patients with leukoplakia were selected. The study group consisted of 196 women and 220 men aged between 21–86 years (average 45.6 years). The analysis was conducted in terms of age, gender, and smoking tobacco. The basic criterion for inclusion in the study was the presence of oral leukoplakia confirmed by histopathological examination, recorded in the chart. Information about the patient’s active smoking was obtained from documented medical interviews. An active smoker was defined as a patient who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day for at least the previous six months. The study used parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Results: The highest incidence of leukoplakia was found in the age group 41–60 (46.6%), where the vast majority were active smokers (85.1%), and mostly men (86.2%). However, among patients with leukoplakia, the highest prevalence of smoking was found in the age group 21–40 years (86.8%) in women, where out of 38 patients with leukoplakia, 33 were active smokers. More patients with leukoplakia were observed in groups of smokers and it was statistically significant. Homogeneous form was the most commonly diagnosed form of leukoplakia in our study; it was found in almost 95% of cases. Leukoplakia was mainly observed on the cheeks. Changes on the gums, the alveolar process or the bottom of the tongue and mouth were rarely found. Conclusion: Our studies revealed that there is a statistically significant correlation between tobacco smoking and the presence of oral leukoplakia among the northern Polish population. It should be noted that dentists, in particular, are capable of early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment of leukoplakia and, most often, crucial elimination of the main risk factor, which is smoking, and the implementation of effective tobacco control interventions.

Presence of oral mucosal lesions associated with tobacco use – among the patients visiting OPD: A prevalence study, at the oxford dental college Bangalore

“…OSMF stage 3 could be due to the absence of betel leaf known for its antioxidant properties and proportionately higher dry weight of areca nut with concurrent tobacco use [3] . Whereas lesions like homogenous leukoplakia, smokers melanosis and smokers palate were more prevalent among smokers this finding was compatible with that of Naveen et al( 2016) [9] , Aida Kusiak et al (2020) [21] . Oro-mucosal lesions based on type of tobacco habit revealed that smoking habit was predominantly associated with lesions involving the hard palate like smokers palate this finding was same as that of Saraswathi et al (2006) 22 , whereas smokeless use of tobacco had lesions involving the labial mucosa, buccal and labial vestibule as placement of, consistent with findings of Lesan et al (2013) [15] and Ayo-Yusuf et al (2000) [23] .…”

Prevalence and Characteristic of Oral Mucosa Lesions

“…There is a known significant correlation between tobacco smoking and the presence of oral leukoplakia. Kusiak et al [45] in the group of 416 subjects with leukoplakia found its highest incidence in the age group of 41-60 years. In addition, in 85.1% cases, they were active smokers.…”

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Oral Leukoplakia in Female Patients—Analysis of Risk Factors Related to Treatment Outcomes

“…Although the case number and incidence of OL in females were not as large as for males, the postoperative recurrence and development of malignant change of OL in female patients could be as serious as in male patients. From a gender perspective, "female" has been regarded as a risk factor for malignant transformation of OL in some studies [13][14][15][16][17][18], but "male" has not. Reviewing the literature about the research on OL, neither malignant transformation of OL focusing solely on female patients nor comparison of treatment outcomes between both genders has been reported so far.…”

“…Regarding the analysis of OL undergoing malignant transformation, old age, female gender, area of leukoplakia exceeding 200 mm 2 , non-homogeneous type, and higher grades of dysplasia were reported to be risk factors [11,12]. Although female gender has been reported as an associated factor related to transformation to carcinoma [13][14][15][16][17][18], there were opposite perspectives on the role of female gender as a risk factor related to malignant transformation of OL [19]. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference of risk of malignant transformation of OL between the female patients and male patients.…”