Prevalence of and factors associated with actinic cheilitis in extractive mining workers

Abstract The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of actinic cheilitis among extractive mining workers and factors associated with the condition, especially the relationship between clinical appearance and the length of occupational exposure to sunlight. A cross-sectional study was performed in Dona Inês, Paraíba, Brazil between 2014 and 2015. A clinical examination, clinical photography and a questionnaire were applied to 201 extractive mining workers. The T-student's, ANOVA one-way, Fisher's exact and Pearson chi-squared tests were performed and the significance level was set at 5%. A high prevalence of actinic cheilitis was observed (38.8%). Length of occupational exposure to sunlight in months (169.63±112.68, p=0.002) was associated with actinic cheilitis. Most workers were Caucasian (p<0.001) and aged 37.41±12.15 years (p=0.004). The time of occupational exposure to sunlight was significant in relation to the following clinical features: atrophy (225.75±97.31; p=0.024); blurred demarcation between the vermilion border of the lip and the skin (186.68±113.15; p=0.032); vertical fissures (210.09±123.07; p=0.046); white and red spotting (199.51±91.80; p=0.004); hard consistency of the lip (225.81±122.34; p=0.012). A high prevalence of actinic cheilitis was found. Age and ethnicity were associated with the presence of AC. Severe clinical presentations of actinic cheilitis were found among participants who had worked for at least 185 months (approximately 15 years) exposed to the sun.

Resumo O objetivo foi determinar a prevalência de queilite actínica entre os trabalhadores extrativistas minerais e os fatores associados a esta lesão, principalmente a relação da aparência clínica da lesão com o tempo de exposição ocupacional à luz solar. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, entre 2014 e 2015, em Dona Inês / PB, localizado no Nordeste do Brasil. Foram aplicados um exame clínico, registro fotográfico e um questionário a 201 trabalhadores extrativistas minerais. Realizaram-se os testes "t" student, ANOVA, Exato de Fisher e Qui-quadrado de Pearson, o nível de significância foi de 5%. Observou-se alta prevalência de queilite actínica (38,8%). A duração da exposição ocupacional à luz solar, em meses, (169,63 ± 112,68, p = 0,002) foi associada à presença de queilite actínica. Estes trabalhadores eram, em sua maioria, brancos (p<0.001) com idade média de 37.41±12.15 anos (p=0.004). O tempo de exposição ocupacional à luz solar foi significativo em relação às seguintes características clínicas: atrofia (225,75 ± 97,31; p = 0,024); perda da demarcação entre o vermelhão do lábio e a borda da pele (186,68 ± 113,15; p = 0,032); Fissuras verticais (210,09 ± 123,07; p = 0,046); Manchas brancas e vermelhas (199,51 ± 91,80; p = 0,004); Consistência dura do lábio (225,81 ± 122,34; p = 0,012). Conclui-se que a prevalência de queilite actínica foi alta. A idade e a etnia foram fatores associados a presença de queilite actinica. Os participantes que haviam trabalhado pelo menos 185 meses (aproximadamente 15 anos) sob exposição ao sol, apresentaram manifestações clínicas graves da queilite actínica.

Link between immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins and clinical-epidemiological aspects of actinic cheilitis

Abstract: Background: The studies found in the literature associate the immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins with histologic aspects, but do not correlate it with clinical and epidemiological data. Objective: To evaluate the immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in actinic cheilitis, correlating it with clinical characteristics. Methods: We analyzed 40 cases. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. The following clinical variables were evaluated: gender, age range, ethnicity, clinical aspect and occupational sunlight exposure. Statistical evaluation included the Student t-test, while the significance level was set at 5%. Results: Greater immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 was observed in females, individuals aged over 40, and mixed-race/black patients. Furthermore, the immunoexpression of these proteins was greater in actinic cheilitis with a white-colored appearance and in patients without occupational sunlight exposure. No statistical differences were observed for the variables studied. Conclusion: This study uncovered variations of hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein expression upon evaluation of clinical aspects in actinic cheilitis.

Smoking among undergraduate students in the area of health / Tabagismo entre acadêmicos da área de saúde

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking and socio-demographic and behavioral factors among undergraduate students in the area of health at the State University of Paraíba, Brazil. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample from each of the following courses: Dentistry, Nursing, Psychology, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and Physical Education. A total of 492 students were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were used for statistical analysis at a 5 percent level of significance. Smoking prevalence was 5.7 percent and stress was the main reason for starting the habit (36.8 percent). In the multivariate analysis by logistic regression, the variables of gender, religious persuasion, semester attended in the course, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with smoking (p<0.05). Although other studies reported a strong relationship between university students and smoking, the prevalence of smokers was low. Most of the variables studied revealed a correlation with smoking. Since smoking and alcohol consumption are the two major human addictions, this study suggests a bidirectional relationship between these variables.

Avaliar a relação entre o tabagismo e os fatores comportamentais e sociodemográficos entre acadêmicos da área de saúde da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB). Foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico, no qual foi obtida uma amostra representativa de cada curso (Odontologia, Enfermagem, Psicologia, Farmácia, Fisioterapia e Educação Física). Foram entrevistados 492 alunos por meio de formulário estruturado. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram Qui-quadrado e o Exato de Fisher (significância de 5 por cento). A prevalência de tabagismo foi de 5,7 por cento e o estresse foi a principal razão para o início do hábito (36,8 por cento). Na análise multivariada por regressão logística as variáveis, sexo, prática de religião, período cursado e consumo etílico apresentaram-se associadas ao hábito de fumar (p<0,05). Apesar de estudos relatarem uma forte relação entre estudantes universitários e fumo, a prevalência de tabagismo foi baixa. A maioria das variáveis estudadas demonstrou associação com o hábito de fumar. Sendo o fumo e o álcool as duas maiores dependências humanas, este estudo sugere uma relação bidirecional entre estas variáveis.