Diet and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in a Syrian population: a case-control study

Diet has not been investigated as a potential risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in the Syrian Arab Republic. In a hospital-based, unmatched case-control study 108 people with cancer and 105 controls were interviewed about dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire in Arabic. Sociodemographic and health risk behavioural information were collected by a self-completed questionnaire. Adjusting for age, sex, education level, working status and tobacco smoking, the multiple regression analysis showed that low intake of vegetables [OR 3.8; 95% CI: 1.57-9.10], cereal/cereal products [OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.12-5.99] and high-caffeine beverages [OR 3.2; 95% CI: 1.34-7.43] increased the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, whereas a low level of fats and oils intake decreased the risk [OR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.24-1.30]. These findings should be considered in national health promotion programmes in the Syrian Arab Republic

Dietary patterns and oral health in schoolchildren from Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

This study investigated the association between dietary patterns and oral health in primary-school children from Damascus. Atotal of 504 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled and food frequency questionnaires were distributed to their guardians to evaluate food consumption. Dental health was evaluated by gingival index and presence of untreated dental caries. Consumption of food groups was lower than recommended frequencies, whereas consumption of sugars was high. High sugar consumption [OR 5.26], low consumption of dairy products [OR 2,45] and poor oral hygiene [OR 2.98] remained risk factors for dental caries in multiple regression analysis. Poor oral hygiene [OR 18.5], high consumption of sugars [OR 1.82] and low frequency of tooth brushing [OR 1.98] also remained as risk factors for gingivitis regardless of all confounders included in the analysis. Comprehensive educational programmes about dietary patterns and their relation to oral health should be provided for children and their guardians