Assessing the Sensitivity and Specificity of Toluidine Blue Staining in Oral Cancer Screening Among Inmates: A Prison-Based Study

Abstract

Background: In the confined environment of correctional facilities, access to healthcare resources can be limited, making it crucial to identify early signs of oral diseases especially oral premalignant lesions and conditions. This study presents the results of an oral health screening camp conducted for jail inmates in Gautam Buddha Nagar (GB Nagar), Uttar Pradesh, India aimed at detecting potentially malignant lesions (PMLs) using Toluidine Blue staining. PMLs are precursor lesions that have the potential to transform into malignancies if left untreated. Objective: This study's major goal was to find out whether applying Toluidine Blue (TB) staining would help with the diagnosis of suspected premalignant lesions and oral cancer & to use it as a routine chair side investigation and also to calculate specificity and sensitivity of TB staining in potentially malignant lesions (PMLs). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the prison; toluidine blue staining was performed on Eighty-four patients between the ages of 22 and 65 years made up the study for inmates at the G.B. Nagar jail. Males made up all eighty-four patients. The study included suspicious-appearing red and white lesions with & without any tobacco use history. Results: In this study, eighty-four patients with malignant and potentially malignant lesions were studied, TB Stain showed 76.19% sensitivity and 47.62% specificity. Conclusion: TB staining conducted for jail inmates in GB Nagar demonstrated its potential as a cost-effective and efficient method for identifying Potentially Malignant Lesions. The results underscore the significance of proactive healthcare measures within correctional facilities and emphasize the need for comprehensive oral health programs targeting vulnerable populations. Further research and larger-scale implementation of such camps are recommended to better understand the implications and benefits of early detection and intervention.