Case control study for risk factors associated with oral cancer in central India

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is higher prevalent condition in Asian countries. In India, due to higher proportion of population consuming tobacco in either chewing or smoking and alcohol consumption. Methods: Present matched case control study was carried out in regional cancer institute in central India. The study consists of a total 124 cases and 124 controls. Cases were newly diagnosed patients of oral cancer confirmed by histopathological examination. Results: For cases, the  mean age (years) was 47.62, the range being 23-83 years while that of controls was  47.89 years, the range being 24-84 years. Majority were males (83.88%). Majority of cases (79.04%) were past chewers who had OR 2.61. Maximum number of cases (19.36%) were past smokers and maximum number of controls (12.09%) were current smokers who had OR 4.54. Maximum number of cases (30.64%) were former drinker and maximum number of controls (8.87%) were current drinker who had OR 2.97. Conclusions: In summary, oral cancer occurs more commonly in middle aged males. The statistical data of this study provide strong evidence that tobacco chewing, smoking and alcohol could be in a straight line responsible for developing oral cancer in central India.