Objective: The aim of this review was to analyse, systematically, hospital-based epidemiological information concerning the malignant transformation rate (MTR) of oral leukoplakia (OL) in a Chinese population, as well as the associated risk factors. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched for studies dealing with OL and related risk factors, including age, gender, type of lesion, site, and smoking and drinking habits. Results: The MTR of OL in the hospital-based Chinese population ranged from 4% to 13%, based on the studies analysed. Regarding risk factors, we found that female patients had a higher MTR than male patients, and that patients older than 50 years of age also had a higher MTR. Patients who smoked had a lower MTR, while alcohol consumption seemed to have no association with MTR. Malignant transformation occurred most commonly on the tongue. Regarding lesion type, non-homogeneous OL had a higher MTR, with the granular type having the highest MTR. Our results regarding the epidemiology of OL showed a similar trend to those reported in western populations and provided preliminary epidemiological information on the Chinese population. Conclusions: Our findings show that female gender, age >50 years and non-homogeneous OL are risk factors for malignant transformation. It is important to develop clinical strategies to educate, diagnose and treat patients with OL and to minimise the MTR of OL.
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Lyu, M. Y., Guo, Y. S., Li, S., Yang, D., & Hua, H. (2017). Hospital-based epidemiological and clinical characterisation of the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia in a Chinese population. International Dental Journal, 67(4), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12292