Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among smokers based on gender: a bicentric cross-sectional study in Egypt

Abstract Background Smoking is a major risk factor for developing various types of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs), including benign and potentially malignant lesions. However, scarce data is available concerning gender differences regarding the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in smokers worldwide. Accordingly, this study assesses the prevalence and types of OMLs among male smokers compared to female smokers in an Egyptian population. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 300 male and 300 female smokers. All participants underwent a thorough case history review and a comprehensive clinical examination. Results The overall prevalence of oral lesions was significantly higher in males (75%) than in females (52%). Increased tongue coating, black hairy tongue, leukoedema, and smoker’s palate were found in males more than in females, with a statistically significant difference. Leukoplakia, a potentially malignant disorder, showed an odds ratio in males more than twice that of females. In contrast, males were found to have a significantly lower risk of developing smokers’ melanosis than females. Conclusion Both males and females manifest the same types of oral mucosal lesions in relation to smoking; however, males have an overall significantly higher prevalence of such lesions, with a higher odds ratio to develop certain types, including leukoplakia. Hence, gender-specific awareness programs are needed, aided by targeted male smokers’ education and oral screening by their dentists and health care providers.