Leukoedema in addicts to coca leaves in Humahuaca, Argentina

Abstract

ABSTRACT The oral mucosa of 301 subjects of both sexes, aged 30 to 87 years and living in Humahuaca, in the province of Jujuy, nothern Argentina, was studied for leukoedema and leukoplakia. One hundred and fifty of these persons were addicted to chewing coca leaves. One hundred and fifty‐one non‐addicts served as controls. Prevalences of 61.3 % for leukoedema and 21.3 % for leukoplakia were reported in the study group. In the control group the prevalences were 9.2 % and 3.9 % for leukoedema and leukoplakia, respectively. The localization of lesions in the study group always coincided with where the coca leaf bolus is habitually kept. In general, the histopathologic pictures were compatible with leukoedema. This confirms previous findings about the effects on the oral mucosa of chewing coca leaves and also the benign character of leukoedema provoked by this irritant.