The effect of smoking on oral labial mucosa: A controlled dermoscopic study

Background/Aim: Although the effects of smoking on large blood vessels are known, research on the effects of smoking on microcirculation continues. In this study, we investigated whether the dermoscopic features of the labial mucosa of smokers differed from the healthy control group. Materials and Methods: In this study, 164 patients (82 smokers and 82 nonsmokers) aged between 20 and 75 years who were admitted to the dermatology department were included. Dermoscopically obtained data were analyzed. Results: Hemorrhagic dot (48.8% vs. 26.8%, P: 0.004), matchstick hairpin vessels (37.8% vs. 15.9%, P: 0.002), microaneursym (35.4% vs. 18.3%, P: 0.014), targetoid brown round areas (37.8% vs. 19.5%, P: 0.010), white dot (22% vs. 9.8%, P: 0.033), and hyperkeratosis (37.8% vs. 18.3%, P: 0.005) were found to be significant in terms of dermoscopic features.Conclusion: In this study, we think that structures such as hemorrhagic dot, matchstick hairpin vessels, microaneursym, which are found to be high in smokers, may be caused by microcirculation disorders.