Prevalence and risk indicators of oral mucosal lesions in an urban population from South Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OML) and to perform a multivariable risk assessment of demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and oral risk indicators for its occurrence in an urban population in South Brazil.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study selected 1586 subjects (719M/867F, age: 14-104 years) using a multistage probability sampling strategy (65.1% response rate). Prevalence, odds ratios (OR), and confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated accounting for the survey design.


RESULTS
Leukoplakia and lichen planus were observed in 1.01% and 1.02% of subjects, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, these lesions were significantly associated with moderate/heavy smoking (OR = 9.0, 95% CI = 2.1-39.1) and heavy drinking (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.7). Candidiasis and proliferative lesions were observed in 14.09% and 3.80% of the subjects, respectively. These lesions were significantly associated with female gender (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.5-3.2 and OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0-2.8), older age (OR=22, 95% CI = 8.0-60.8 and OR = 8.9, 95% CI = 3.4-23.7), and low socioeconomic status (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.0-3.5 and OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.2-7.2).


CONCLUSIONS
This population is in need of OML prevention and treatment. Future studies should validate the findings that premalignant lesions are causally related to smoking and alcohol consumption, and that other OML are associated with socioeconomic-demographic disparities in this and similar populations.
Carrard
Vc
V
Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Haas
An
A
Rados
Pv
P
Filho
Ms
M
Oppermann
Rv
R
Albandar
Jm
J
Susin
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult