Effects of DSM-5 Betel-Quid-Related Symptoms, Pathological Behaviors, and Use Disorder on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk
by
, , , , and
Wen-Chen Wang
1,2
,
Yueh-Tzu Chiu
3,
Yen-Yun Wang
1,4,
Shuai-Lun Lu
3,
Leong-Perng Chan
5,6,7,
Chun-Ying Lee
5,8,
Frances M. Yang
9,
Shyng-Shiou F. Yuan
4,10,11,12,*,†
and
Chien-Hung Lee
3,4,13,14,*,† 1
School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
2
Division of Oral Pathology and Oromaxillofacial Radiology, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
3
Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
4
Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
5
Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
6
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung 80145, Taiwan
7
Cohort Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
8
Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
9
School of Nursing, KU Medical Center, The University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
10
Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
11
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
12
Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-Devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30009, Taiwan
13
Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
14
Office of Institutional Research & Planning, Secretariat, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
The authors contributed equally to this work.
Cancers 2022, 14(16), 3974; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14163974
Submission received: 19 July 2022
/
Revised: 7 August 2022
/
Accepted: 15 August 2022
/
Published: 17 August 2022
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)
Simple Summary
This is the first study using psychometrics to investigate the association of the DSM-5 betel-quid (BQ)-related symptoms, pathological behaviors, and BQ use disorder (BUD) severity with the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study presents data demonstrating that the symptoms of unsuccessful cutdown of BQ consumption, neglecting major roles, social or interpersonal problems, abandoning or limiting activities, hazardous use, and continued use despite awareness of the dangers were associated with the risk of OSCC. Pathological behavior of risky BQ use enhanced OSCC risk in chewers with moderate-to-severe BUD. BQ chewing is a major risk factor for oral cavity cancers; however, the risk can be mitigated by reducing pathological use. Our study indicates that targeting BUD and establishing a BUD-based strategy is a promising new direction for the prevention of OSCC.
Abstract
The neuroactive alkaloids in betel quid (BQ) can induce BQ addiction. We conducted a case–control study to investigate the effects of BQ-associated DSM-5 symptoms, pathological behaviors, and BQ use disorder (BUD) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) risk. A total of 233 patients with newly diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed OSCC and 301 sex- and age-matched controls were included. BQ-related DSM-5 symptoms in the 12 months prior to disease onset were used to measure psychiatric characteristics and BUD. Compared with nonchewers, chewers with the symptoms of unsuccessful cutdown of BQ consumption, neglecting major roles, social or interpersonal problems, abandoning or limiting activities, hazardous use, and continued use despite the awareness of the dangers had a 54.8-, 49.3-, 49.9-, 40.4-, 86.2-, and 42.9-fold higher risk of developing OSCC, respectively. Mild-to-moderate and severe BUD were, respectively, associated with a 8.2–8.5- and 42.3-fold higher OSCC risk, compared with BQ nonuse. Risky BQ use of pathological behavior was associated with a 12.5-fold higher OSCC risk in chewers with no BUD or mild BUD and a 65.0-fold higher risk in chewers with moderate-to-severe BUD (p for risk heterogeneity between the two BUD groups, 0.041). In conclusion, BQ-associated DSM-5 symptoms, pathological behaviors, and BUD severity are associated with the impact of BQ chewing on OSCC development. The pathological behavior of risky BQ use enhances OSCC risk in chewers with moderate-to-severe BUD. Preventing BUD in new BQ users and treating BUD in chewers who already have the disorder are two priorities in areas where BQ chewing is prevalent.
