An investigation into the association between leukoedema and smoking.

One thousand, nine-hundred and ninety-six Cape Coloured high school pupils (655 females and 1,341 males, 14-18 years old) were examined to determine the prevalence of leukoedema and to investigate its relationship with smoking. Results were contradictory. Only in some subgroups was it found that the proportion of smokers with leukoedema was significantly larger than non-smokers with leukoedema; that those with leukoedema consumed significantly more tobacco than those without leukoedema, and that there was a corresponding increase in smoking and leukoedema with age. An analysis of the relationship between smoking, the sex, and leukoedema showed a relationship between sex and leukoedema, but that leukoedema was independent of smoking. Also the prevalence of the condition in smokers and ex-smokers was not significantly different. No correlation existed with the type of smoking and between the severity of the lesion and the amount of tobacco consumed. It is concluded that smoking does not cause the lesion but may aggravate it and that its etiology must be multifactorial.