Actinic cheilitis in rural workers: prevalence and associated factors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of actinic cheilitis in rural workers and factors associated with the development of this condition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a city in Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected by clinical examination and use of a questionnaire validated with 300 rural workers. The χ(2) test was employed to identify possible associations between the presence of actinic cheilitis and clinical and demographic variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed using forward stepwise selection. A p value of 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of actinic cheilitis was 12.0% in the sample. The highest prevalence of actinic cheilitis was observed in white males, with low educational level, and an approximately 40-year history of sun exposure. Chronic lesions were commonly found in the lower lip and were characterized by scaling, dryness, and mild edema. Skin color, sex, educational level of patients, and cumulative sun exposure (in years), were identified as predictors of development of actinic cheilitis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the need to implement educational health strategies aimed to orient the population about risk factors and preventive measures of the disease. Appropriate clinical management of patients with actinic cheilitis is important for prevention of lip cancer.