Oral status, oral infections and some lifestyle factors as risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. A population-based case-control study in southern Sweden.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that average and poor oral hygiene and inadequate dental status are independent risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC), irrespective of tobacco and alcohol consumption.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a possible relationship between oral cancer, oral hygiene, dental status, oral mucosal lesions and some lifestyle factors in a population-based case-control study.


METHODS
Between September 2000 and January 2004, 132/165 (80%) of all incident cases of OOSCC and 320/396 (81%) of the intended eligible matched controls participated in the study. Cases and controls were subjected to an identical oral examination. A standardized protocol specially designed for the study was used.


RESULTS
After adjusting for tobacco and alcohol consumption, average oral hygiene (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1-3.6) and poor oral hygiene (OR 5.3; 95% CI 2.5-11.3) emerged as significant risk factors for OOSCC. More than 20 lost teeth (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4-8.5), >5 defective teeth (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.2-8.2) and poorly fitting or defective complete dentures (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.3-11.4) were significant risk factors. Regular dental check-ups were associated with a decreased risk of OOSCC (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.6).
Rosenquist
Kerstin
K
Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. Kerstin.Rosenquist@od.mah.se
Wennerberg
Johan
J
Schildt
Elsy-Britt
EB
Bladström
Anna
A
Göran Hansson
Bengt
B
Andersson
Gunilla
G
D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology