Tobacco usage in relation to the anatomical site of oral leukoplakia.
OBJECTIVE
Tobacco usage is the most important known aetiological factor in the development of oral leukoplakia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relation of tobacco usage to the anatomical site of the leukoplakia.


METHODS
Clinical data regarding tobacco usage and localisation of leukoplakia obtained from 166 patients with oral leukoplakia.


RESULTS
Leukoplakias in the floor of mouth appeared to be statistically significantly more often present in smokers than in non-smokers, compared to all other oral sites (P < 0.001; OR = 8.47 and 18.13 for men and women, respectively). On the contrary, leukoplakias on the borders of the tongue were statistically significantly more common among non-smokers, than smokers, compared to all other oral sites (P < 0.001; OR = 0.22 and 0.12 for men and women, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that the influence of tobacco on the development of leukoplakia varies by anatomical site.
Schepman
K P
KP
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology, Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands.
Bezemer
P D
PD
van der Meij
E H
EH
Smeele
L E
LE
van der Waal
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002610:Cheek; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000473:pathology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology