SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IN ORAL CANCER RESEARCHES PUBLISHED IN THE SCIELO DATABASE FOR THE PERIOD 2001-2011

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the scientific evidence level of articles indexed in the SciELO database addressing oral cancer, from 2001 to 2011. Material and Methods: It was used an inductive approach, with descriptive statistical procedures, and direct documentation technique. Were conducted searches for articles that addressed the topic in SciELO database by using the descriptors: oral cancer, salivary gland neoplasms, squamous cell carcinoma, chemotherapy; radiotherapy. The articles were classified according to scientific evidence stated by the increasing degree of Scientific Evidence (GEC): Expert Opinion and Case Report (GEC1); Single Case Experimental Study / Case Series (GEC2); Descriptive Studies (GEC3); Quasi-experimental studies (GEC4); Case-Control Study (GEC5); Cohort Study (GEC6); Randomized Clinical Trial (GEC7); Systematic Review with or without Meta-analysis (GEC8). It was also collected the field of knowledge related to the article. Results: From the analyses of 150 papers, it was identified the GEC for the publications, as follows: GEC1: 30.0% (n=45); GEC2: 8.0% (n=12); GEC3: 47.3% (n=71); GEC4: 4.0% (n=6); GEC5: 2.6% (n=4); GEC6: 6.6% (n=10); GEC7: 0.6% (n=1); and GEC8: 0.6% (n=1). As regards the field of knowledge, it was found: treatment: 38.6% (n=58); diagnosis: 33.3% (n=50); epidemiology: 19.3% (n=29); prevention: 4.6 % (n=7) and prognosis: 4.0% (n=6). Conclusion: The articles analyzed have small force of evidence, focusing on descriptive study (GEC3) and on oral cancer treatment. DESCRIPTORS: Evidence-Based Medicine. Mouth Neoplasms. Oral Manifestations.