Association between glycemia, serum lipoproteins, and the risk of oral leukoplakia: the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).
OBJECTIVE
Oral leukoplakia is an oral lesion with a premalignant character. Besides smoking and alcohol, diabetes could be a risk factor. The aim is to search for such an association.


METHODS
Subjects with leukoplakia (N = 123) from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were matched 1:2 for age and sex with unaffected control subjects. Behavioral and lifestyle factors were assessed by a questionnaire. Lipoprotein concentrations, glycemia, and inflammation parameters were determined. RESULTS Subjects with oral leukoplakia showed higher levels of diabetes-related metabolites, a higher LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio (P = 0.004), and higher A1C (P = 0.002), and they were more frequently smokers (P < 0.001). Assessed by conditional logistic regression, the probability of leukoplakia increases with current smoking (odds ratio 2.20 [95% CI 1.16-4.17]) and higher levels of A1C (1.51 [95% CI 1.08-2.12]), revealing interaction between both factors (P = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes is associated with the risk of oral leukoplakia, which is exaggerated by smoking. The risk is positively correlated with A1C concentrations.
Meisel
Peter
P
Dental Clinics, Unit of Periodontology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. meiselp@uni-greifswald.de
Dau
Michael
M
Sümnig
Wolfgang
W
Holtfreter
Birte
B
Houshmand
Mohammad
M
Nauck
Matthias
M
Kocher
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008074:Lipoproteins