Comparison of salivary acetaldehyde level in smokers with and without leukoplakia and its correlation with the histopathological findings

Smoking is the predominant etiological factor for the development of potentially malignant disorder and Oral Leukoplakia is the most common potentially malignant disorder seen in the oral mucosa.Aims and Objectives: To estimate salivary acetaldehyde levels in smokers and compare the acetaldehyde levels between smokers with leukoplakia and smokers without leukoplakia.Materials and Method: A Total of 126 subjects with the habit of smoking were included in the study. Smokers with leukoplakia Group A (n 63) and without Leukoplakia the Group B (n 63). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from the cases and controls. Salivary acetaldehyde level was estimated using Gas chromatography mass spectrum.Results: Smokers with leukoplakia had significantly higher level of acetaldehyde (155.10±9.59µl) in comparison to the Smokers without leukoplakia (116±4.8µl). (P