Prevalence of Oral Submucous Fibrosis With Other Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: A Clinical Retrospective Study

Background Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive, and potentially malignant oral disorder that causes scarring of the oral cavity, pharynx, and upper oesophagus. It is most common in Southeast Asia, but it is also found in other parts of the world. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of oral lesions that have an increased risk of developing into oral cancer. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of OSMF associated with other OPMDs. The presence of multiple OPMDs existing in one patient is a significant finding, as it is associated with an elevated risk of developing malignancy. The risk of malignant transformation increases with the number of OPMDs present in a patient; patients with two OPMDs have a three to four times higher risk of developing malignancy than those with a single OPMD. Patients with three or more OPMDs have a 7-10 times higher risk and the risk of malignant transformation depends on the type of OPMD. Materials and methods The study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, India, to investigate the prevalence of OSMF with other OPMDs. The study team retrieved 630 case records of patients with OSMF from the electronic database between January 2018 and March 2023. All of the patients in the study had OSMF, as well as other OPMDs such as leukoplakia, candidiasis, actinic cheilitis, dyskeratosis congenita, erythroplakia, lichen planus, sideropenic dysphagia (Plummer-Vinson syndrome), and discoid lupus erythematosus. Both clinical and histopathological examinations confirmed these diagnoses. Oral mucosal lesions without coexisting OSMF were excluded. The study was done on the basis of age group, habits, type of habits, associated coexisting lesions, and systemic condition. Results The patients were clinically examined and diagnosed. Of the 630 cases, 10% had OSMF with OPMDs. The most common OPMDs associated with OSMF were leukoplakia (86%), followed by candidiasis (12%) and both leukoplakia and candidiasis (2%). Based on gender, the incidence of OSMF was higher in males compared to females with 67% and 33%, respectively. Conclusion OSMF is more likely to develop into malignancy; the widespread use of areca nut products in India has contributed to the rising incidence of OSMF. Accumulating epidemiological data can help to identify high risk populations for prevention and control measures. Earlier oral cancer diagnosis and treatment can increase the likelihood of a favourable outcome.