Abstract
BackgroundOral submucous fibrosis is a common oral health problem in India. This study was conducted to correlate the histopathological diagnosis with habits and clinical findings in patients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).MethodsPatients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis from the Departments of Otorhinolayngology and Pathology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, India were studied from 2004–2008. Detailed information was gathered in a pretested proforma. Emphasis was given to the various addictions, clinical findings and histological examination was done.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty nine patients were studied, yielding a male to female ratio of 6.8:1. Maximum patients were in the 21–30 years age group with a marked male predominance. Of these, 197 (82.4%) patients chewed areca nut/dohra, 14 (5.8%) were smokers and 2 (0.8%) patients were habituated to alcohol. 89(37.2%) patients reported difficulty in opening of the mouth (trismus). 51 (57.4%) patients were found to have stage II (2–3 cm) trismus while rest had stage I and III. The buccal mucosa was found to be the most commonly involved site. On the basis of histopathological examination, 52(21.7%) were classified as OSF grade I, 75(31.3%) patients as grade II and 112(46.8%) had grade III disease.ConclusionThe widespread habit of chewing dohra/paan masala is a major risk factor of OSF, especially in the younger age group. In this study, an increase in histopathological grading was found with severity and duration of addiction habit. However no significant correlation was found between clinical staging and histopathological grading.
Highlights
IntroductionThis study was conducted to correlate the histopathological diagnosis with habits and clinical findings in patients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis (OSF)
Oral submucous fibrosis is a common oral health problem in India
109(45.6%) were in the 21–30 years age group followed by 67 (28%) patients in the 31–40 years of age [Figure 1]. According to their personal habits, 110(46%) patients chewed areca nut/dohra, 49 (20.5%) patients consumed gutka, 38 (15.8%) patients were habituated to smoking, 11(4.6%) chewed and smoked, 7 (2.9%) patients were addicted to alcohol and chewing. 7 (2.9%) patients were addicted to alcohol and smoking and 2 patients were addicted only to alcohol [Table 2]
Summary
This study was conducted to correlate the histopathological diagnosis with habits and clinical findings in patients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic and potentially malignant condition of the oral cavity. It is characterized by a juxtraepithelial inflammatory reaction followed by fibroelastic changes in the lamina propia and associated epithelial atrophy. The chewing of betel quid (containing areca nut, tobacco and slaked lime) has been recognized as one of the most important risk factors for OSF. In spite of the fact that the habit of areca nut chewing with or without betel quid is rampant, the correlation between the extent and duration of addictions with clinical and histopathological grading has not been attempted so far.
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