Smoking, alcohol consumption and oral cancer among healthcare academics

• Published in: RGO - Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia 2017-09, Vol.65 (3), p.223-228
• Main Authors: SANTOS, Daniely Silveira, REIS, Roberta Alves Rosa dos, ATHAYDE, Letícia Antunes, FREITAS, Daniel Antunes, SOUSA, Árlen Almeida Duarte de
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE
• ISSN: 0103-6971; 1981-8637; 1981-8637
• DOI: 10.1590/1981-863720170002000063332

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate if dental students with the habit of smoking exhibit alterations in the epithelial cells of the cheek mucosa on the nuclear area (NA), cytoplasmic area (CA) or in the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio (NA/CA), when compared to non-smokers. Methods This is a descriptive, experimental study using a control group. The sample comprised 40 dental undergraduates (20 smokers and 20 non-smokers). Individuals who smoked at least 5 or 6 cigarettes a day were deemed to be smokers, while non-smokers were those who reported having no experience of any form of smoking. The samples of epithelial cells were obtained from the oral mucosa using the liquid-based exfoliative cytology technique. The slides were processed in the laboratory, stained using the Papanicolau technique and were analyzed via an image analysis system (analySIS getIT). A structured questionnaire was applied with the aim of measuring independent variables related to personal characteristics, health and lifestyle behavior. Results The values obtained in the group of smokers were as follows: NA (169.4 µm² ± 17.0), CA (1240.1 µm² ± 128.9) and NA/CA ratio (0.1375 ± 0.01743). The results did not evidence significant differences when compared to the control group: NA (170.7 µm² ± 20.0), CA (1255.3 µm² ± 174.5) and NA/CA (0.1380 ± 0.01436). Conclusion It was not possible to observe significant cell alterations in the NA, CA or the NA/CA ratio of epithelial cells of the oral mucosa. Other risk factors associated with tobacco should be studied, principally the length of exposure to the properties of the causative agent. RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar se os estudantes de odontologia que possuem hábitos tabagistas apresentam alterações celulares nas células epiteliais da mucosa jugal sobre as áreas nucleares (AN), citoplasmáticas (AC) e na relação núcleo/citoplasma (AN/AC) quando comparados a não fumantes. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo experimental, descritivo com grupo controle. A amostra foi composta por 40 estudantes de graduação em odontologia (20 fumantes e 20 não fumantes). Consideraram-se fumantes aqueles indivíduos que fumavam diariamente, no mínimo, cinco a seis cigarros do tipo industrializado; e não fumantes aqueles indivíduos que relataram a não experiência com qualquer tipo de fumo. As amostras de células epiteliais foram obtidas da mucosa oral pela técnica de citologia esfoliativa em meio líquido. As lâminas foram processadas em laboratório, coradas pela técnica de Papanicolau e analisad