Actinic cheilitis profile of the scientific production in dentistry of Brazil in the last ten years

Abstract

The actinic cheilitis is a carcinogenic injury resulting from extended and continuous exposure to the sun, mainly affecting the lower lip. Objective: To describe the profile of dental research about actinic chelitis conducted in Brazil in the last 10 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study through indirect observation of the paper abstracts, which had been submitted in the Brazilian Society for Dental Research-SBPqO meetings held from 2001 to 2011. It was observed that 42 abstracts contained the words actinic cheilitis and actinic keratosis of the lip. The data were organized and analyzed using Epi Info version 3.5.1 and presented using descriptive and analytical statistics. In the bivariate analyzes, the chi-square test (p < 0.05) was used. Results: A peak of papers was presented in 2006 and 2008; the scientific production was concentrated in the south and the southeast areas, with simple contribution by the state of Bahia and predominance of the observational studies. It was observed that 35.7 % received support from the governmental agencies, and the CNPq contributed most of the funding (16.7 %). There were no significant differences in the distribution of dental research works between the public and the private institutions (p= 0.103), as well as between the federal and the state authorities (p= 0.225). Conclusions: Although uncommon, some studies showed the importance of research to clarify the molecular mechanisms that influence the biological behavior of actinic cheilitis. Hence, a safe and effective treatment may be provided to prevent the advance of disease. This requires greater involvement of universities and of funding agencies to allow applying the results of research with the greatest potential for scientific evidence.