The analysis of periodontal diseases and squamous cell esophageal cancer: A retrospective study

Saudi Dent J. 2023 Sep;35(6):714-719. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.05.030. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Abstract

Aim: The potential links between periodontal disease and various cancers have drawn more and more attention in recent years. The objective of the current study was to investigate any potential associations between parameters of periodontal disease, the number of teeth lost, and the risk of developing squamous cell esophageal cancer in a representative adult sample.

Materials and methods: The study sample included 178 healthy individuals with matched age and socioeconomic status as controls and 60 patients with the primary histological type of esophageal cancer, Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer. Data were collected from cases and controls on epidemiological factors like age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, socio-economic status, level of education, and prior medical/dental history. The clinical data on periodontal health status was obtained through a clinical examination. This data concerned Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), the number of teeth lost, and the common risk factors for Squamous Cell Esophageal Carcinoma. Additionally, univariate, and logistic regression models that were modified for potential confounders were used to estimate unadjacent and adjacent odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Lower socioeconomic status (p = 0.048) (OR = 1.882, 95% CI = 0.987-3.591), smoking (p = 0.052) (OR = 1.768, 95% CI = 0.931-3.359), moderate and heavy alcohol abuse (p = 0.035) (OR = 1.880, 95% CI = 0.987 3.579), and irregular tooth brushing frequency (p = 0.001) (OR = 0.326, 95% CI = 0.171-0.619) were indeed discovered to be significantly linked.

Conclusion: Individuals with lower socio-economic status, smoking, moderate and heavy alcohol consumption, and irregular tooth brushing frequency were significantly associated with Periodontal diseases and Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer.

Keywords: Adults; Periodontal disease; Risk factors; Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer.