Association between socioeconomic factors and origin of hospital referrals among patients with oral cancer

The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) is responsible for offering free assistance to more than 100 million Brazilians, including treatment of oral cancer lesions. Considering that the Brazilian public system aids the most vulnerable population, this study analyzed whether the origin of hospital referrals of patients with oral cancer is associated with socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out from cancer hospital records of the National Cancer Institute (RHC-INCA), considering the primary locations (C00 to C06) diagnosed between 2016 and 2019. Data on gender, skin color (white and non-white), education (no schooling, incomplete or complete elementary education; high school; incomplete and complete higher education) and origin of referral (SUS and non-SUS) were analyzed by multiple logistic regression (p<0.05). Higher referral rates by the SUS were observed in 2017 (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.098-1.480) and 2018 (OR=1.28; 95% CI=1.101-1.490); no differences were found between the years 2016 and 2019. Regarding gender, men were 40% more likely to have the SUS as the source of referral (OR=1.40; 95% CI=1.233-1.600). Non-white individuals were 34% more likely to have the SUS as the source of the referral (OR=1.34; 95% CI=1.190-1.512). Illiterate individuals or individuals who only attended elementary school were 6.38 times more likely to be referred by the SUS than individuals with higher education (OR=6.38; 95% CI=5.228-7.796). It is concluded that the origin of hospital referrals via SUS of patients with oral cancer is associated with socioeconomic factors

Trend of hospitalized cases of oral cancer in Brazil and its relationship with oral health coverage in public health system between 2009 and 2017

This study aimed to analyze the trend in the number of hospitalized cases of oral cancer in Brazil, according to the coverage of oral health services in public health system, and also investigate the influence of healthcare and clinical characteristics on the severity of oral cancer cases. This retrospective study considered the period between 2009 and 2017. Data from the Hospital Registry of Cancer from the National Cancer Institute were used, considering the primary locations C00 to C06. Detailed information including sex, age, alcohol and tobacco use, year of first consultation, and the clinical stage of the cases were also collected. The frequency of hospitalized cases was correlated with the coverage of Primary Care Oral Health Teams (ESB) and the number of Dental Specialty Centers (CEO). It was also estimated the chance of advanced oral cancer cases, according to healthcare and clinical characteristics. Data were analyzed using Tweedie's multiple regression and multiple binary logistic regression (?<0.05). There was an increasing trend in the number of hospitalized cases of oral cancer in Brazil between 2009 and 2017 (B=0.043, p<0.001, PR=1.044). The increase in ESB coverage was associated with small increase in the number of hospitalized cases of oral cancer (B=0.001, p=0.003, PR=1.001). The increase in the number of CEO was associated with decrease in the number of hospitalized cases of oral cancer (B=-0.085, p<0.001, PR =0.918). The increase of ESB (OR=0.998) and CEO (OR=0.974) contributed for reducing the number of stage IV cases, whilst the history of alcohol and tobacco use (OR=1.574) was associated with an increase in the number of stage IV cases. Although an increasing trend was detected, the expansion of the public health system reduced the number of hospitalized cases and the frequency of advanced oral cancer cases in Brazil

Biochemical and microbiological analysis of the saliva of institutionalized elderly : with edentulism, use of dentures and presence of biofilm

To analyze biochemical and microbiological parameters of the saliva of institutionalized elders and to investigate the relation of these parameters with edentulism, use of dentures and presence of biofilm. A cross-sectional study carried was out in seven long-term institutions. Samples (n=161) of unstimulated saliva were collected for analysis of salivary flow, quantification of total proteins and identification of microorganisms. Oral examination was carried out to verify the number of missing teeth, the use of dentures and the presence of visible biofilm on the surface of teeth and dentures. Associations were performed using chi-square or Fisher?s exact test (?0.05). Associations were observed between the presence of dentures biofilm and the colonization of Streptococcus sp. (p=0.038) and Candida sp. (p=0.03). The absence of teeth and use of dentures do not influence the amount of total proteins and the microorganisms count in saliva. Denture biofilms are associated with the presence of Streptococcus sp. and Candida sp. in saliva of institutionalized elders

Impact of oral health on nutritional status, self-perception of oral health and quality of life of institutionalized elderly

This study aimed to investigate the influence of oral health on nutritional status, self-perception of oral health and health related quality of life of institutionalized elders. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 193 institutionalized elders l

Marcadores de soroprevalência por Toxoplasma Gondii em gestantes: uma análise epidemiológica na literatura / Markers of Toxoplasma Gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women: an epidemiological analysis of the literature

A toxoplasmose resulta de uma infecção causada pelo Toxoplasma Gondii, conhecida popularmente como a “doença do gato”, sendo de auto infectividade. É considerada relevante para a saúde pública, tendo vários meios de transmissão, sendo um deles a transplacentária, que ocorre quando a gestante adquire a toxoplasmose durante a gestação, está transmissão pode acarretar sequelas graves para o feto, sendo assim, as contribuições dos profissionais de saúde são indispensáveis durante o pré-natal, levantando informações relevantes para o diagnóstico precoce da doença. O objetivo desta pesquisa é realizar uma revisão literária sobre a epidemiologia e a soroprevalência do Toxoplasma Gondii em gestantes. A metodologia utilizada para o estudo foi a abordagem qualitativa de revisão de literatura, utilizando como bases Lilacs-Bireme, Scielo, PubMed e Caderno de Atenção Básica do Recém-Nascido do MS. Destaca-se assim, a importância da sorologia no controle de toxoplasmose adquirida na gestação, reduzindo significativamente dados relacionados a patologi

Does the presence of oral health teams in ICU contribute to better oral health care and better clinical outcomes for ICU patients?

Systematic review to investigate if the presence of oral health teams contribute to better oral health care and better clinical outcome of patients admitted to the ICU