title: Prevalence and risk indicators of oral mucosal lesions in an urban population from South Brazil.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vc
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carrard
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Pv
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rados
authors.forename: Ms
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Rv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oppermann
authors.forename: Jm
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Albandar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Susin
mesh_terms: 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