Comparison Of Frequency Of Habits Among Different Stages Of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

Background: To compare the frequency of habits among different stages of oral submucous fibrosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients were recruited through purposive sampling technique from Dental OPD of Ziauddin Dental College, Clifton campus and Keamari campus, Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi. There were 50 stage 1 OSMF patients with limited mouth opening between 26-35 mm and 50 stage 2 OSMF patients with limited mouth opening less than 26mm. A detailed questionnaire was filled with details regarding patient’s medical history along with the frequency of pan, ghutka, betelnut, tobacco and alcohol. Co-relations were studied between various continuous variables. Cross-tabulations were performed between frequency of habits and different stages of OSMF. Results: In the present study, 100 OSMF patients, 70 (70 %) males and 30 (30 %) females, were recruited and diagnosed into different stages on the basis of limited mouth opening. Majority of addictions in OSMF stage 1were due to pan chewing (54%) followed by ghutka (40%), tobacco (34 %) and betelnut (28%) respectively. OSMF stage 2 patients showed highest consumption of ghutka (68%) followed by pan (60%), betelnut (50%) and tobacco (42%) respectively. Alcohol consumption alone in both stages was found insignificant causative factor in OSMF disease. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the relative risk of disease becomes higher with increased frequency and duration of daily consumption of pan for stage 1 and ghutka for stage 2 OSMF patients. Key Words: Oral sub mucous fibrosis, frequency, ghutka, betelnut, tobacco, pan