[Stomato-oncological screening in diabetic patients]

Area of Science:

• Oral oncology
• Endocrinology
• Diabetology

Context:

• Limited research exists on the link between diabetes and oral precancerous conditions or tumors.
• Previous studies have not extensively explored oral health in diabetic populations.
• International data on leukoplakia incidence among diabetics is scarce.

Purpose:

• To investigate the prevalence of oral precancerous and benign lesions in diabetic patients.
• To compare oral lesion frequencies in diabetics versus the general population.
• To assess the influence of diabetes type and smoking on oral precancerosis risk.

Summary:

• Screening of 200 treated diabetics revealed precancerous lesions in 8% and benign lesions in 14.5%.
• Diabetic individuals exhibited a higher occurrence of oral benign and precancerous lesions compared to the general population.
• Type 2 diabetes patients had a greater proportion of oral cavity lesions than type 1 diabetes patients.
• Combined diabetes mellitus and smoking presents an elevated risk for oral cavity precancerosis.

Impact:

• Highlights a significantly increased risk of oral cavity lesions, including precancerous conditions, in diabetic individuals.
• Underscores the heightened risk associated with type 2 diabetes and the synergistic effect of smoking.
• Emphasizes the need for targeted oral cancer screening programs for diabetic patients, particularly those who smoke.