Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine
Volume 32, Issue 5, 2003, Pages 257-264

Oral pre-cancer and the associated risk factors among industrial workers in Japan's overseas enterprises in the UK (Article)

Nagao T.* , Warnakulasuriya S. , Gelbier S. , Yuasa H. , Tsuboi S. , Nakagaki H.
  • a Second Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan, Department of Oral Medicine, Guy's, King's/St, Thomas' Dent. I., King's College London, London, United Kingdom, Department of Oral Medicine, Guy's, King's/St. Thomas' Dent. I., Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW, United Kingdom
  • b Department of Oral Medicine, Guy's, King's/St, Thomas' Dent. I., King's College London, London, United Kingdom, Department of Oral Medicine, Guy's, King's/St. Thomas' Dent. I., Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Dental Public Health, Guy's, King's/St, Thomas' Dent. I., King's College London, London, United Kingdom
  • d Second Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan
  • e Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan
  • f Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan

Abstract

Background: Screening at industries has been advocated as a method of early detection for cancer. This study describes the prevalence of oral pre-cancerous lesions and other mucosal diseases following oral mucosal screening, and associated risk factors among Japanese industrial workers in the UK. Methods: Oral mucosal screening was by invitation at 51 industrial locations in the UK. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record socio-behavioural factors and frequency of daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Results: Four hundred and eighty-four subjects attended for oral mucosal screening (mean age 39.9 ± 8.3 years) and their mean period of residence in UK was 5.3 ± 4.5 years. 63.4% examined were male. 31.3% of males and 26.6% of females smoked daily. The gender differences were striking compared with Japan's national rates. A higher proportion of managerial staff was regular heavy (20+ per day) smokers. The intake of more than five portions per day of vegetables and/or fruits during the weekend was significantly higher in females than in males (P=0.022). One hundred and six subjects (22%) were detected with oral mucosal lesions, including 16 leukoplakia lesions (3.3%) and three with oral lichen planus (1%). The rate of positive detections was higher in managers (7.5%). Odds ratios were estimated by socio-behavioural variables. Among subjects positive for oral leukoplakia, managers accounted for 68.8% (OR 5.26; 95% Cl, 1.24-22.29). 87.5% of subjects detected with oral leukoplakia smoked daily and had done so for the past 10 years (OR 28.40; 95% Cl, 5.63-143.28). Though regular alcohol drinking was a common feature among male leukoplakia cases, heavy alcohol misuse was not encountered. None reported an intake of five or more portions of fruits or vegetables. Conclusions: The Japanese nationals working in managerial positions in the UK and daily regular smokers in the industries visited were found to be at a high risk of oral pre-cancer. Regular dental/oral check up and tobacco education programmes are encouraged for oral cancer/pre-cancer control in industrial settings.

Author Keywords

risk factors Alcohol drinking Occupations Leukoplakia Oral pre-cancer Industrial screening Epidemiology smoking

Index Keywords

drinking behavior fruit vegetable human precancer cancer screening leukoplakia lichen planus smoking male Japan female risk factor questionnaire Article major clinical study adult mouth cancer United Kingdom industrial worker food intake
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0037880466&doi=10.1034%2fj.1600-0714.2003.00027.x&partnerID=40&md5=95d429b5f28c8caae0daf3532ebaa9ca
DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2003.00027.x
ISSN: 09042512
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English