Compromised Oral Health as a Risk Factor for Sporadic Colorectal Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to test the feasibility of a future large epidemiological study designed to investigate the association between impaired oral health and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The secondary objectives were to standardize the procedures of the study, to assess the participation rate and success of proposed recruitment approaches, to assess the feasibility and validity of data collection methods on oral health and to produce preliminary data on the association between impaired oral health and the risk of CRC.
Methods: This was population-based case-control feasibility study. Participants in the case group (n = 30) were recruited from two hospitals in Montreal. Controls (n = 39) were recruited from the general population of Montreal. Oral health measures were collected both by a self-administered questionnaire on oral health and a clinical examination. Data on several risk factors for CRC were collected by validated questionnaires.
Results: The participation rate of the study was 73% (30) among cases and 32.5 % (39) in controls. Only 26% (7) of participants in the case group and 79% (26) of participants in the control group completed the dental examination. Compromised oral health was associated with increased CRC risk in participants older than 59 years. Self-reported oral health measures obtained through questionnaires showed good validity to clinical examination.
Conclusions: The subsequent epidemiological study is considered feasible by making changes. The preliminary results argue for a possible association between oral health compromised by periodontal disease and / or tooth loss and risk of CRC.