Abstract
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, potentially malignant disorder linked predominantly to areca nut chewing. This study investigates the role of serum trace elements (Cu, Fe, Zn, Se) in the progression and malignant transformation of OSMF. A community-based cross-sectional study involved 80 participants from the Government Dental College, Vijayawada, Krishna District, AP. Participants were divided into four groups: areca nut users without OSMF, areca nut users with OSMF, areca nut users with malignant-transformed OSMF, and healthy controls. Blood samples were analyzed for serum iron, copper, zinc, and selenium levels. Significant differences were found in serum copper(P=0.032) and zinc levels (P=0.006), with elevated levels observed in the malignant-transformed OSMF group compared to controls. No significant differences were observed in serum iron (P=0.542) and selenium levels(P=0.062) across the groups. Elevated serum copper levels can serve as a reliable diagnostic marker for malignant transformation in OSMF. Future research should explore the potential therapeutic benefits of copper chelation in OSMF management.
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