Prevalence and factors associated to actinic cheilitis in beach workers

• Published in: Oral diseases Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 575 - 579
• Main Authors: de Souza Lucena, EE, Costa, DCB, da Silveira, EJD, Lima, KC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2012; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: actinic cheilitis; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Bathing Beaches; Beaches; Brazil - epidemiology; Cheilitis - epidemiology; Dentistry; Diet; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Income - statistics & numerical data; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure; Prevalence; prevalence studies; Protective Clothing - statistics & numerical data; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Skin Pigmentation - physiology; Smoking - epidemiology; Sunlight - adverse effects; Sunscreening Agents - therapeutic use; Time Factors; ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; Young Adult; Brazil
• ISSN: 1354-523X; 1601-0825
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2012.01910.x

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 575–579
Objectives:  Assess the prevalence and potential factors associated to actinic cheilitis (AC) in workers exposed to the sun.
Materials and methods:  Workers assigned to urban beaches in a city in Northeastern Brazil completed a questionnaire containing personal and health data. Lips were examined to identify AC.
Results:  A total of 362 workers, of which 15.5% exhibited AC, were examined. Among those with AC, there was a prevalence of males (86%), aged 37 years or older (61.4%) and light‐skinned (52.6%). They were undocumented (96.5%), exposed to the sun (84.2%), worked up to 6 h daily (57.9%), five or more times per week (52.6%), and for more than 8 years (54.4%). Photoprotection was used by 89.5%, including sunscreen (42.0%), lip protector (17.5%), and cap/hat (87.7%). Approximately 30% smoked and 29.8% consumed alcohol, 56.2% over two standard shots per day. Most (91.2%) ate healthy food five or more times per week. Being male, aged 37 years or older, having up to 6 years of schooling, being light‐skinned, wearing a cap/hat, and using sunscreen were factors associated to AC.
Conclusion:  A high prevalence of actinic AC was observed. Special attention should be given to individuals chronically exposed to UV radiation, with the institution of educational, preventive, and curative measures.