Abstract 58P
Background
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the highest-ranking cancers among both genders in Pakistan. Obesity is linked to a much higher risk for developing multiple cancer types. Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) face an increased risk for developing oral cancer. Hence, the objective of this study was to identify the effect of obesity and DM on the prognosis of OSCC patients.
Methods
This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 193 patients diagnosed and treated for OSCC at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Patient information was obtained from hospital medical records. Obesity was defined as having a body-mass-index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2 according to the WHO Asian cut-offs for BMI. Patient BMI was correlated with diabetes status, clinicopathological features and overall survival. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed, along with univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis to test the effect of obesity and diabetes on overall survival.
Results
In a set of 193 patients, there were 148 males (76.7%) and 45 females (23.3%). The mean BMI was 24.4 (SD±5.25) and 42.7% of patients were found to be obese (≥25 BMI). 32 patients (16.6%) were diabetic. The risk of death was significantly higher in underweight patients (P=0.035) as compared to normal weight individuals. Diabetics had a higher mean BMI as compared to non-diabetics. However, DM was not a statistically valid predictor of survival.
Conclusions
Underweight OSCC patients were at a higher risk of death as compared to normal weight OSCC patients.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.