title: Metabolic syndrome and health-related behaviours associated with pre-oral cancerous lesions among adults aged 20-80 years in Yunlin County, Taiwan: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the associations of health-related behaviours, metabolic syndrome and risk factors in adults with pre-oral cancerous (POC) lesions in rural, disadvantaged communities with a high prevalence of oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-based health survey in the western coastal area of Yunlin County, Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  5161 adult residents participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessed parameters included oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure and waist circumference. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, χ(2) tests and multivariate binary logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A high percentage of participants were found to have metabolic syndrome (40%) and POC lesions (7.3%). Participants with POC lesions tended to be male (p<0.001), betel nut chewers (p<0.001) and cigarette smokers (p<0.001); have a low level of education (p<0.001); seldom undergo dental check-ups (p<0.01); irregularly participate in physical activity (p<0.01) and have metabolic syndrome (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although male sex and disadvantaged socioeconomic status are non-modifiable factors associated with POC and metabolic syndrome in adults, several factors, notably health behaviours, are modifiable. Clinicians can reduce the incidence and consequences of POC by developing programmes for early detection, encouraging regular dental check-ups, and initiating individualised, health-promoting behaviour modification programmes for reducing risky behaviours associated with oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Head and Neck Cancer Team, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chang-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Yunlin, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Shyan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Tsung
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Dentistry, Cancer Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Liang-Tse
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Su-Whi
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jane
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mei-Yen
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: ORAL MEDICINE