Description
Results of OPMD Campaign in Latvia- Check your oral cavityObjectives
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tends to develop against a background of oral potentially malignant diseases (OPMD), which include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, submucous fibrosis and erosive and atrophic forms of oral lichen ruber planus. OPMD estimated global prevalence is 4.47% in a recent meta-analysis. The early diagnosis and management of OPMD represent a unique opportunity to develop strategies that will prevent malignant transformation. The primary objective was to facilitate early diagnosis of OPMD for Latvian residents, to prevent its malignant transformation into OSCC, and to raise awareness through organized screening campaigns.
Materials and Methods
Oral cavity screening activities were carried out in RSU SI and local trips to Rēzekne and Ventspils. One month prior to the campaign, a notification was published in a local magazine “Ievas veseliba”, and in the local press of a particular city, to inform the community about the upcoming screening days. The two-day campaign in RSU SI and Rezekne attracted a total of 170 participants in 2023, and 162 residents in 2024 carried out in RSU SI and Ventspils.
Analysis were performed using Ms Excel.
Results
In terms of demographics, the participation included 89+64 females and 11+6 males in 2023, and 77 females and 22 males in 2024. Among the participants, 51% hailed from Riga, while 49% came from other cities across Latvia. During the screenings of Latvian residents, a total of 3 cases of precancerous lesions and 2 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were diagnosed each year. Additionally, in Ventspils, 3 cases of precancerous lesions were identified.
Conclusions
The conclusions drawn from the campaign highlight the necessity of providing opportunities for society to check their oral health. It was noted that there was still a greater participation of females compared to males, despite the fact that males have a higher statistical risk of malignant transformation. Therefore, it is recommended that similar screening actions be conducted regionally to ensure that individuals from all parts of Latvia have access to these vital health services.
| Period | 26 Mar 2025 → 28 Mar 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | RSU Research week 2025: Society. Health. Welfare |
| Event type | Conference |
| Conference number | 10 |
| Organiser | Rīga Stradiņš University |
| Location | Riga, LatviaShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |