Preoperative C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and oral health in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background The C-reactive protein to albumin (CRP/alb) ratio can predict early survival of a hospitalized patient. We evaluated factors that influence the preoperative CRP/alb ratio in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and in particular clarified the role of oral health to this ratio. Materials and methods Data from surgically treated OSCC patients were collected retrospectively. The outcome variables were preoperative CRP/alb ratio, CRP level, and alb level. The studied predictors were total number of teeth, periodontal stability, marginal bone loss, tumour stage, T-class, lymph node status, and site. The statistical significance of age, sex, comorbidity combination of age and disease history (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]), smoking, and alcohol history for outcome variables were evaluated. Patient 3-month mortality and occurrence of postoperative infections were recorded. Results A total of 159 patients were included in the study. The early mortality was 3.8%. CRP/alb was higher in these patients than in those who survived. The only independent variables for CRP/alb changes were CCI and heavy alcohol use. The CRP/alb ratio was significantly lower in non-heavy alcohol users (odds ratio [OR] 0.114, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.024–0.541; adjusted p = 0.006) than in other patients. Patients with CCI 0–1 were more likely to have a lower CRP/alb ratio than patients with CCI ≥ 5 (OR 0.033, 95% CI 0.004–0.284; adjusted p = 0.002). In addition, high CRP/alb ratio associated with postoperative infections ( p = 0.026). Conclusions The CRP/alb ratio was high in OSCC patients with combined comorbities of age and disease history and in patients with heavy alcohol use. Oral health or tumour-related variables did not independently affect the CRP/alb ratio. The CRP/alb ratio appears suitable for prediction of OSCC patient early survival.