Recurrent sores by ill-fitting dentures and intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma in smokers.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether denture use and recurrent sores caused by ill-fitting dentures are associated with intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma (IO-SCC) in individuals exposed to tobacco.


METHODS
We conducted a hospital-based case-control study. The study population 124 patients wi th IO-SCC and the same number of controls (individually paired according to gender and age) recruited from outpatient units of the same hospital. Conditional logistic regression analysis assessed the effect of denture use and recurrent oral sores by ill-fitting dentures, adjusted by covariates on the lifetime exposure to alcohol and tobacco, socioeconomic standings, and dietary patterns.


RESULTS
The use of dentures showed no association with IO-SCC [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.40, 95 percent confidence interval 0.51-3.87, P = 0.513] in an assessment controlled by socioeconomic position, lifetime exposure to alcohol and tobacco, and dietary patterns. However, the report of recurrent sores caused by ill-fitting dentures showed significant association with the disease (adjusted OR 4.58, 95 percent confidence interval 1.52-13.76, P = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
The association between recurrent oral sores caused by ill-fitting dentures and squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth in smokers is in agreement with the hypothesis that the chronic physical irritation of oral mucosa contributes to the topical carcinogenic effect of tobacco, which must be taken into careful consideration in the planning of dental services for adults and the elderly.
Vaccarezza
Gabriela Fürst
GF
Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. leopoldo@usp.br
Antunes
José Leopoldo Ferreira
JL
Michaluart-Júnior
Pedro
P
D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001938:Brazil; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012923:Social Class
D004041:Dietary Fats