Association of Oral Diseases With Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables in Women With Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of oral diseases and their association with sociodemographic and clinical variables in women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing treatment. Material and Methods: This is an analytical, cross-sectional study, composed of 89 participants. Clinical examination was performed to check for dental caries, xerostomia, gingivitis and cold sore. Participants were interviewed using a semistructured script and the data were analyzed descriptively. Fisher's exact and chi-square tests were used to verify possible associations, with a 5%significance level. Results: Women aged over 50 years accounted for 25.8% of the study population, with a predominance of incomplete elementary school (36%), White race (64%), socioeconomic condition “C class” (57.3%) and income up to two minimum wages (38.2%). There was a predominance of the use of dentures(60.7%) due to the large number of missing teeth (mean of 17.9). Older patients had a higher prevalence of xerostomia and a higher number of extracted teeth. Conclusion: There were oral alterations associated with cancer treatment, such as the need for dentures, xerostomia, gingivitis and canker sores. As the age range increased, tooth extraction, xerostomia prevalence and gingivitis were also increased. Xerostomia was associated with white race and use of anti hyper tensives. DESCRIPTORS Oral Health.Dental Caries.Xerostomia.Gingivitis.Breast Neoplasms.