Oral health, hygiene practices and oral cancerSaúde bucal, práticas de higiene bucal e ocorrência de câncer da cavidade oral ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between oral health and hygiene practices and oral cancer.
METHODS:Hospital-based case-control study in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, from 1998 to 2002. A total 309 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and the pharynx and 468 controls matched by sex and age were included in the study. Cases were recruited in seven reference hospitals and controls were selected in fi ve out of the seven participating hospitals. Detailed information on smoking, alcohol consumption, schooling, oral health status and hygiene practices were obtained through interviews. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confi dence intervals (95% CI), adjusted by sex, age, schooling, smoking, alcohol consumption as well as the variables oral health status and hygiene practices were estimated using unconditional logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS:The use of complete dental prosthesis was not associated with oral cancer but regular gum bleeding showed a strong association (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.2-7.9). Those who never attended a dental visit were more likely to have oral cancer (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3-4.8). Daily mouthwash use showed a stronger association to pharynx (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.8-12.5) than mouth cancer (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.6-6.3).
CONCLUSIONS:Gum bleeding, no dental care, and daily mouthwash use were factors associated with oral cancer regardless of tobacco and alcohol consumption.
472Oral health and hygiene practices on oral cancer Marques LA et al Oral cancer accounts for 7% of all new cancer cases worldwide, around 270,000 cases annually. In developing countries, it is the fi fth most common cancer in men and the seventh in women. 15 In South America, Brazil has the highest rates of oral cancer in men. 19 The city of São Paulo has the highest incidence of oral cancer in the Brazil, 25.3 cases per 100,000 males and 4.9 per 100,000 females. 20 Smoking and alcohol consumption are widely recognized as risk factors for oral cancer, 10,a,b,c but also nutrition, 6 occupation 1 and metabolic gene polymorphisms 9 seem to have specifi c roles for the development of oral cancer. Previous epidemiological studies have provided evidence of the effect of oral health status and oral hygiene practices on the development of oral cancer. Poor oral hygiene seems to cause additional cancer RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre saúde e higiene bucal na ocorrência de câncer oral.
MÉTODOS:Estudo caso-controle de base hospitalar, realizado entre 1998 e 2002 na área metropolitana de São Paulo, SP. Foram incluídos 309 pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de boca e orofaringe e 468 controles, pareados com os casos por sexo e idade. Os casos foram levantados em sete hospitais que concentram a assistência médica a pacientes com a doença e os controles rastreados em cinco hospitais gerais dentre os sete. Informações pormenorizadas sobre tabagismo, consumo de álcool, escolarida...