Study over the clinical picture and histopathology of leukoplakia and to establish the correlation between causative factors in the patients of Garhwal hill region

AIMS: This cross-sectional study was conducted to correlate the clinical picture, causative factors of leukoplakia with its histopathology in the patients of Garhwal hill region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on indoor and outdoor patients of Department of Otorhinolaryngology, HNB Base Hospital, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Patients were interviewed by a predesigned questionnaire and clinically examined. Finally, histopathological examination was done by using proper technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 15. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 90 patients were evaluated. Minimum age of presentation was 18 years while the maximum was 65 years. The majority of patients were in age group of 31-40 years, with male predominance. Majority of cases were of minimum dysplasia and minimum of carcinoma in situ (CIS). Buccal mucosa is the most common site for leukoplakia, while hard palate is the least common site. One case of CIS was reported in buccal mucosa, while two cases of CIS were found in specialized mucosa. Smoking and pan masala (in both types with or without tobacco mixed) had a direct relation with the histological type of leukoplakia, as the amount and duration of consumption increased, the severity of dysplasia increased. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of cases were males in age group of 31-40 years. Probably, it was due to the addiction to smoking and pan masala started early in this region. Severity of dysplasia was related to the amount and duration of exposure to smoking and pan masala. Buccal mucosa was commonly involved because of general human tendency of keeping pan masala in buccal region for a long duration.