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. RESEARCH DESIGN AND 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.