RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is such a common malignancy, but its manifestations are usually asymptomatic, and by the time the lesion is diagnosed its invasion is deep. This makes the survival rate poor and also the treatment rendered during such stages is extensive and debilitating. In this regard, a novel approach has been advocated in the estimation of biomarkers in the body fluids. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)/gamma-glutamyl transferase is an enzyme that is essential for the absorption of amino acids, especially in the degradation of glutathione. Its activity is increased in oral cancer and precancerous lesions. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the activity and concentration of GGT in precancerous and cancerous patients in comparison with normal patients and also to assess its efficacy as an effective tumor marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised a total of 75 patients who were categorized into three groups as normal patients (25 cases in Group A), patients with precancerous lesions (25 patients in Group B) and patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (25 cases in Group C). 5 ml of whole unstimulated saliva collection was done, it was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min and the supernatant thus obtained was used for the estimation of GGT levels. The detection was done by photometric method reading the absorbance at 405 nm. RESULTS: Group A patients had values of GGT ranging from 4 to 30U/L with a mean of 16.7 ± 1.94U/L. Group B had activity of GGT ranging from 39 to 65 U/L with a mean of 50.4 ± 1.67U/L. In group C, the evaluated GGT activity was between 53 and 86 U/L and the mean was 70 ± 2.37 U/L. Statistical analysis using Chi-square test was conducted. Correlations between Group A and Group B and between Groups A and C showed a statistically significant relation (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Salivary gamma-glutamyl transferase activity can be used effectively as a tumor marker, and further studies with a larger sample size can be done to correlate this finding.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Oral health in relation to general health is influen-ced by the retention of teeth. Understanding factors affecting tooth retention will help health and social policy-makers to translate the knowledge on tooth retention into action programs for improving oral health of the people and hence enhance tooth retention. AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the factors affecting tooth retention among adult population of Dharwad district, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1100 subjects (616 urban and 484 rural) residing in Dharwad district, Karnataka, India, was conducted. Self-designed questionnaire was prepared and data were collected on socio-demographic factors, oral hygiene practices, diet practices, adverse oral habits and frequency of dental visits by the interview method and clinical examination. Statistical analysis was carried out by applying one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), unpaired t-test and backward stepwise multiple regression. Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between the two quantitative variables. RESULTS: A total of 66.72% subjects retained all 28 teeth and mean number of teeth retained by the study subjects were 25.33 (90.46%). There was gradual reduction in tooth retention with increase in age. Males (95.8%) compared to females (94.07%), unmarried (98.8%) than married subjects (93.3%) and subjects with intermediate or post high school diploma (97.5%) than those who were illiterate (89.5%) and other low educational level study subjects retained more teeth. Further mean values of tooth retention for other socio demographic factors i.e., occupation, income and family size were not statistically significant (p≤0.05). In addition, subjects using tooth brush (96.6%) and tooth paste (96.6%) for cleaning the teeth, subjects practicing mixed diet (96.6%) and subjects who never visited the dentist (96.5%) in their lifetime showed statistically significant greater tooth retention than study subjects who visited the dentist infrequently (92.7%) (p≤0.05) (p=significance level). CONCLUSION: Males compared to females, lower age, profess-ionals compared to illiterates, unmarried and mixed diet population, tooth brush and tooth paste users and population who never visited dentist showed more tooth retention.