DOI: 10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_121_26 ISSN: 0972-1363

Evaluation of the Association of Salivary Cotinine with Oral Leukoplakia and Dysplastic Changes in Smokeless Tobacco Users: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Mahitha Konda, Komali Garlapati, Divya Harika Pedada, Anulatha Manne, Varshini Thumu, Akula Sonisha
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Abstract

Background:

Oral leukoplakia can develop due to the habit of smokeless tobacco (SLT). It has the potential for malignant transformation. Salivary cotinine may help assess dysplastic changes.

Objective:

This study aimed to measure salivary cotinine levels in people who use SLT and to see how these levels relate to oral leukoplakia and the severity of epithelial dysplasia.

Methods:

A total of 80 participants, in which Group A (40 participants) had confirmed oral leukoplakia, while Group B (40 participants) did not. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected to measure cotinine levels and to correlate them with histopathological grading of dysplasia. Data analysis was done with IBM SPSS v23.0.

Results:

Age ( P = 1.000), sex ( P = 0.803), tobacco dependence ( P = 0.152), salivary cotinine levels ( P = 0.415) did not show any significant differences, whereas higher salivary cotinine levels were strongly linked to more severe dysplasia (ρ =0.824, P = 0.000).

Conclusion:

The severity of dysplastic changes in oral leukoplakia may be associated with increased salivary cotinine levels.

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