A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between Chronic Oral Disease Burden and Serum Biomarkers in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Poor oral health can negatively affect general health and quality of life of kidney transplant recipients. The study aimed to investigate the association between chronic oral disease burden, serum biomarkers, and comorbidities in kidney transplant recipients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with 44 patients after kidney transplant. The burden of chronic oral disease was composed of the following observable variables: moderate periodontitis and presence of dental caries. Serum biomarkers and comorbidities data were collected. The chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables were used. Robust Poisson regression was used to model the association. RESULTS: Higher levels of mean uric acid (P = .01) and creatinine (P = .03) were observed in the group of patients with oral disease burden, while the highest level of high-density lipoprotein was observed in the group without oral disease. Higher values of uric acid were associated with the occurrence of chronic oral disease burden (Adjusted PR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.48, P = .019). There was no statistical difference between the groups with and without oral disease burden in comorbidities present. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that chronic oral diseases burden can be associated with uric acid and creatinine levels in kidney transplant recipients.

Knowledge on oral cancer among dentistry students at Federal University of Maranhão / Conhecimento sobre o câncer oral entre estudantes de odontologia da Universidade Federal do Maranhão

Introduction: Oral cancer is a multifactorial disease of high incidence worldwide and considered a public health problem, in which prevention and early diagnosis are the best ways to reverse this situation. Purpose: To evaluate the level of knowledge on oral cancer in a population of dentistry students. Method: A questionnaire on oral cancer was applied to 150 students from six classes, divided into three groups according to their semesters. The variables studied were statistically analyzed by applying the chi-square test with confidence interval of 95% and significance level of 5%. Result: Eighty-eight students (60.61%) considered their level of knowledge on oral cancer good and regular, while 37.93% rated their knowledge as insufficient. Squamous cell carcinoma was listed as the most common cancer by only 38.25% of students, with the highest percentage of correct answers being observed for groups 2 (55.56%) and 3 (67.39%). The level of knowledge on the risk factors increased over the semesters; however, 77.85% considered their level of confidence to perform diagnostic procedures low. Conclusion: The level of knowledge on oral cancer was considered good or regular among dentistry students, and although they showed good level of knowledge on the risk factors and to specific issues of the disease, there is a clear need to implement continued educational measures throughout the course to consolidate learning on this disease. .

Introdução: O câncer oral é uma doença multifatorial com alta incidência no mundo, que vem sendo considerado problema de saúde pública, sendo a prevenção e o diagnóstico precoce as melhores formas de reverter essa situação. Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento sobre o câncer oral em uma população de estudantes de odontologia. Método: Um questionário sobre o câncer de boca foi aplicado a 150 alunos de seis turmas, divididos em três grupos de acordo com o semestre letivo. As variáveis estudadas foram analisadas estatisticamente aplicando-se o teste do Qui-quadrado com intervalo de confiança de 95%, e nível de significância de 5%. Resultado: Oitenta e oito alunos (60,61%) consideraram seu nível de conhecimento sobre câncer oral bom ou regular, enquanto 37,93% avaliaram seu conhecimento como insuficiente. O carcinoma espinocelular foi considerado o câncer mais comum por apenas 38,25% do total de estudantes, sendo o percentual maior de acerto para os grupos 2 (55,56%) e 3 (67,39%). O nível de conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco aumentou ao longo dos semestres, entretanto, 77,85% consideram baixo o seu nível de confiança para realizar procedimentos de diagnóstico. Conclusão: O nível de conhecimento sobre câncer oral foi considerado bom ou regular entre os estudantes de odontologia entrevistados; apesar de demonstrarem um bom nível de conhecimento em relação aos fatores de risco e a questões específicas da doença, ficou clara a necessidade de implementar medidas educativas continuadas ao longo do curso de forma a consolidar o ensino sobre essa patologia. .