March 2011

Objective To assess the prevalence of Actinic Cheilitis (AC) among agricultural workers and analyze its risk factors. Design A cross sectional epidemiological study. A lip lesion was defined as an abnormal change on the lip mucosa surface, such as erythematous pigmented, ulcerative or swelling (Cataldo and Doku, 1981). Data were gathered according to age group, gender, ethnicity, time and frequency of occupational sunlight exposure, smoking habits, drinking habits and socio-economic status. Setting Sugar-cane plantation farms in Brazil. Participants Full-time workers of both genders employed at sugar-cane plantation farms for at least six months. Outcome measures Correlations between AC prevalence, demographic and socioeconomic risk factors. Results 202 people were examined and the prevalence of AC was 39.6%. Results revealed that being black (0.15-0.88- 95%CI; OR=0.36; p=0.025) or mulatto (0.21-0.82- 95%CI; OR=0.42; p=0.011) decreased the risk for AC, while age and gender sex had no effect. In relation to socioeconomic variables, formal education and more than four years of education (0.07-0.68- 95%CI; OR=0.22; p=0.009) decreased the risk for AC. Moreover, drinking alcohol was a risk for AC (1.05-3.37- 95%CI; OR=1.88; p=0.034), while tobacco smoking was not (0.60-2.02- 95%CI; OR=1.10; p= 0.763). Conclusions The prevalence of AC is high in agricultural workers who were fairskinned, had low education and high alcohol intake. Prevention and early diagnosis are required for workers exposed to sunlight. Key words: Actinic Cheilitis, epidemiology, lip, prevalence, risk factors.