Metabolic syndrome and health-related behaviours associated with pre-oral cancerous lesions among adults aged 20–80 years in Yunlin County, Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore the associations of health-related behaviours, metabolic syndrome and risk factors in adults with pre-oral cancerous (POC) lesions in rural, disadvantaged communities with a high prevalence of oral cancer.DesignA cross-sectional observational study.SettingCommunity-based health survey in the western coastal area of Yunlin County, Taiwan.Participants5161 adult residents participated in this study.Outcome measuresAssessed parameters included oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure and waist circumference. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, χ2 tests and multivariate binary logistic regression.ResultsA high percentage of participants were found to have metabolic syndrome (40%) and POC lesions (7.3%). Participants with POC lesions tended to be male (p<0.001), betel nut chewers (p<0.001) and cigarette smokers (p<0.001); have a low level of education (p<0.001); seldom undergo dental check-ups (p<0.01); irregularly participate in physical activity (p<0.01) and have metabolic syndrome (p<0.01).ConclusionsAlthough male sex and disadvantaged socioeconomic status are non-modifiable factors associated with POC and metabolic syndrome in adults, several factors, notably health behaviours, are modifiable. Clinicians can reduce the incidence and consequences of POC by developing programmes for early detection, encouraging regular dental check-ups, and initiating individualised, health-promoting behaviour modification programmes for reducing risky behaviours associated with oral cancer.

Increased oral inflammation, leukocytes, and leptin, and lower adiponectin in overweight or obesity

“…Mucosa of oral cavity can be affected by many disorders characterized by inflammation. Most previous studies investigated oral mucosal lesions in elderly, smokers, or in patients with cardiovascular disease, DM, or metabolic syndrome (MS) (Carrard et al., ; Chang et al., ; Pedersen et al., ; Saini, Al‐Maweri, Saini, Ismail, & Ismail, ; Stocks et al., ). Stocks et al.…”

“…Despite an association between precancerous lesions and MS, overweight, or obesity components, Chang et al. () did not confirm the definitive diagnosis of oral leukoplakia or submucous fibrosis using a biopsy. Thus, their conclusions should be drawn with caution.…”

“…Mucosa of oral cavity can be affected by many disorders characterized by inflammation. Most previous studies investigated oral mucosal lesions in elderly, smokers, or in patients with cardiovascular disease, DM, or metabolic syndrome (MS) (Carrard et al, 2011;Chang et al, 2015;Pedersen et al, 2015;Saini, Al-Maweri, Saini, Ismail, & Ismail, 2010;Stocks et al, 2015). Stocks et al (2015) showed that the strongest individual risk factors for over- T A B L E 4 Association of overweight or obesity with participants' inflammatory dental diseases, and levels of adiponectin and leptin (Porter, Scully, & Hegarty, 2004).…”

Clustering Analysis to Explore Cohorts in Comorbid Patients

“…This cohort over indexed for oral cancer (87%) and metabolic syndrome (23%). Indeed, a 2015 meta-analysis revealed an association between metabolic syndrome and oral cancer 23 . The 2 nd cohort over indexed in females (55% females) with a lower age (median 62.2 years) with disorders like ovarian cancer (5.1%), cystic fibrosis (1.7%), pancreatic cancer (2.1%), hepatitis (6.9%) and post-partum birth disorders (0.2%).…”

The risks of ubiquinone and β-carotene deficiency and metabolic disorders in patients with oral cancer

“…Recently, studies have indicated that antioxidant vitamins status may be related to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [17][18][19]. According to a community-based health survey conducted in Taiwan, metabolic syndrome and unhealthy behaviors were associated with pre-oral cancerous lesions in adults [20]. Until now, few researchers have investigated the relationship between the status of antioxidant vitamins, such as ubiquinone, β-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E, and metabolic disorders in patients with oral cancer.…”