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Diet and risk of oral potentially malignant disorders in rural S ri L anka
Author(s) -
Amarasinghe Hemantha K.,
Usgodaarachchi Udaya,
Kumaraarachchi Menaka,
Johnson Newell W.,
Warnakulasuriya Saman
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/jop.12067
Subject(s) - medicine , betel , leukoplakia , cancer , environmental health , population , food science , physiology , traditional medicine , biology , structural engineering , nut , engineering
Background While the protective role of antioxidant nutrients against cancer is well established, data on Asian diets in patients with oral cancer are meagre. Methods A total of 1029 subjects over 30 years of age were investigated on their dietary practices in the S abaragamuwa province (Sri Lanka) in 2006–07. Data collection tools were an interviewer‐administered questionnaire, a three‐day food diary and an examination of the oral cavity. Subjects identified with O ral P otentially M alignant D isorders ( OPMD ) and disease‐free controls were analysed in a case–control fashion. Among the OPMD s, those with leukoplakia were separately considered. A further subgroup analysis was undertaken for β‐carotene‐rich foods. The analysis was stratified by portions of fruit/vegetables consumed as five or more portions and two or more portions daily. Results A low BMI (<18.5) was a significant independent risk factor for the development of OPMD . More than half of both cases and controls consumed less than two portions of fruit/vegetables per day and only 20 subjects consumed more than five portions per day. Intake of more than two portions per day of β‐carotene‐containing fruits/vegetables significantly reduced the risk of having an OPMD and leukoplakia ( OR = 0.5; 95% CI , 0.3–0.9). The significant differences observed with BMI and fruits/vegetables were attenuated when adjusted for betel quid chewing, smoking and alcohol use. Conclusions This study discloses prevailing under‐nutrition in this rural population with very low daily consumption of fruit/vegetables. Cancer preventive properties in their diets are limited and are swamped by the known carcinogenic agents associated with use of betel quid, tobacco and alcohol.