Study of ABO blood grouping and secretor status among habituals – A case control study

Abstract

The study was conducted to analyse ABO blood group and secretor status using saliva among habituals and healthy controls. The relationship between ABO blood group, secretor status of habituals and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) was assessed. Salivary secretor status was studied in 100 individuals. Clinical and habit history was noted. Group I had 50 age and sex matched healthy controls; group II had 50 individuals having habit history, with or without PMD. With 1ml of unstimulated saliva from each, Wiener agglutination test was performed to know blood group and secretor status. The relationship between ABO blood groups, secretor status, and OPMDs was assessed using Chi-square test and odds ratio. Group I had blood groups A (44%), B (32%), O (14%), AB (10%) and group II had A (32%), B (26%), O (34%), AB (8%). Non-secretor status in group I was 18% and group II, 82%. In Group II, 20% nonsecretors presented with PMD, predominantly oral submucous fibrosis followed by leukoplakia and lichen planus. A definite correlation between salivary secretor status and development of PMD indicates non-secretors possess greater risk of developing oral lesions. Among the habituals, blood groups B and O were at higher risk than A and AB.