Efficacy of oral lycopene in the management of oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a condition that is virtually unknown to health care providers in the West because areca-nut use is rare. In Southeast Asia, including India where the authors of this study reside, areca-nut use is widespread and the prevalence of OSMF in users has been reported to be as high as 3.2%. 1 Trivedy C.R. Craig G. Warnakulasuriya S. The oral health consequences of chewing areca nut. Addict Biol. 2002; 7: 115-125 Google Scholar Aside from the significant reduction in oral function described by Kumar et al. (presented in the previous article), individuals with OSMF have a high risk for malignant transformation. 1 Trivedy C.R. Craig G. Warnakulasuriya S. The oral health consequences of chewing areca nut. Addict Biol. 2002; 7: 115-125 Google Scholar The relatively recent introduction of gutkha (an areca-nut/tobacco mixture sold in a single-use sachet, also referred to as pan masala), into the Indian market is viewed as especially ominous because of the youth appeal, the ease of procurement, low expense, convenient packaging, and the lack of social stigma. Gutkha users have higher rates of OSMF, 2 Ranganathan K. Devi M.U. Joshua E. Kirankumar K. Saraswathi T.R. Oral submucous fibrosis: a case-control study in Chennai, South India. J Oral Pathol Med. 2004; 33: 274-277 Google Scholar and this has given health authorities in India much reason for concern about increased rates of oral cancer in a younger population. Indeed, the majority of the subjects in this study are gutkha users under the age of 30. Of importance is the rise of OSMF in the West (including the United States) owing to immigration of South Asians who continue to consume the various areca-nut products, including paan and gutkha. 3 Warnakulasuriya S. Areca nut use following migration and its consequences. Addict Biol. 2002; 7: 127-132 Google Scholar , 4 Changrani J. Gany F. Paan and Gutka in the United States: an emerging threat. J Immigr Health. 2005; 7: 103-108 Google Scholar