Smoking and drinking in relation to oral potentially malignant disorders in Puerto Rico: a case-control study
2011

Smoking and Drinking Risks for Oral Disorders in Puerto Rico

Sample size: 241 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Li Lin, Psoter Walter J, Buxó Carmen J, Elias Augusto, Cuadrado Lumarie, Morse Douglas E

Primary Institution: New York University College of Dentistry

Hypothesis

Is smoking and drinking associated with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) in Puerto Rico?

Conclusion

Current smoking is a significant risk factor for OPMDs, while alcohol consumption shows little association with OPMD risk.

Supporting Evidence

  • Current smokers had an adjusted odds ratio of 4.32 for OPMDs compared to never smokers.
  • Former smokers had a reduced risk of OPMDs compared to current smokers.
  • No significant association was found between alcohol consumption and OPMD risk.

Takeaway

Smoking can make your mouth sick, but drinking alcohol doesn't seem to make it worse.

Methodology

The study involved interviews and logistic regression analysis of subjects diagnosed with OPMDs and benign conditions.

Potential Biases

Self-reported data may lead to exposure misclassification.

Limitations

The small sample size limited subgroup analyses and the comparison group was not disease-free.

Participant Demographics

Participants were aged 30 and older, with a mix of genders and educational backgrounds.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 1.99-9.38

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-324

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