Correlation of Lipid Profile and Blood Glucose Levels in Oral Precancerous Lesion

Oral precancerous lesions (OPLs), including leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), and oral lichen planus (OLP), pose a significant risk for malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma.

To evaluate and analyze the correlation between fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profile parameters in patients with oral precancerous lesions.

This cross-sectional observational study included 110 participants, 80 patients with clinically and histologically diagnosed oral precancerous lesions and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL levels.

Patients with OPLs showed significantly elevated fasting blood glucose (108.3 ± 14.2 mg/dL), total cholesterol (210.5 ± 28.7 mg/dL), triglycerides (165.3 ± 33.6 mg/dL), and LDL (137.2 ± 26.1 mg/dL), along with reduced HDL levels (36.8 ± 7.2 mg/dL) compared to controls (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between fasting blood glucose and lipid parameters (cholesterol: r = 0.52, triglycerides: r = 0.47, LDL: r = 0.44), while HDL showed a negative correlation (r = -0.39).

It is concluded that patients with oral precancerous lesions demonstrate significant metabolic alterations. The correlation between blood glucose and lipid profiles highlights the potential role of systemic metabolic dysregulation in the development and progression of OPLs.