Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic and potentially malignant condition of the oral cavity. It is characterized by a juxtraepithelial inflammatory reaction followed by fibroelastic changes in the lamina propia and associated epithelial atrophy. The disease affects most part of the oral cavity as well as the upper third of the esophagus. [1]

The pathogenesis of OSF is not well established, but is believed to be multifactorial. The chewing of betel quid (containing areca nut, tobacco and slaked lime) has been recognized as one of the most important risk factors for OSF. [2–4] Over the years, the incidence of OSF has increased manifold in various parts of the Indian subcontinent including Allahabad. [5]

In spite of the fact that the habit of areca nut chewing with or without betel quid is rampant, the correlation between the extent and duration of addictions with clinical and histopathological grading has not been attempted so far. Thus, this study was designed investigate to these issues.

Two hundred and thirty nine OSF patients were studied, of which 204(85.4%) were males and 35(14.6%) females with a male to female ratio of 6.8:1. Maximum number of patients, 109(45.6%) were in the 21–30 years age group followed by 67 (28%) patients in the 31–40 years of age [Figure 1].

With regard to site distribution, the buccal mucosa was the most common involved site with 66(20.8%) patients being involved. Palate was the second common site and affected 37(17.7%) patients. Both buccal mucosa and the palate were involved in 19(7.9%) patients. Buccal mucosa with the retro molar area involvement was found in 27 (3.1%) patients [Figure 2].

On the basis of clinical symptoms, 89(37.2%) patients reported difficulty in opening of the mouth, 62(25.9%) patients suffered from a burning sensation of the buccal cavity, 54(22.5%) patients reported excessive salivation and 34(14.2%) patients reported recurrent oral ulcerations [Figure 3].

On correlating the histopathological findings with the patients' addiction habits, 52 (21.7%) had OSF grade I, of which 20(38.5%) chewed paan masala/dohra, 10 (19.2%) took only gutka, 7(13.5%) consumed betel quid with areca nut and tobacco, 5 (11.1%) were smokers, 5 (9.6%) patients were both chewers and smokers, 3 (5.8%) were addicted to alcohol and chewing, while 2 (3.6%) were habituated to alcohol and smoking. On correlating histopathological findings with frequency and duration of addiction in OSF grade I, maximum patients were addicted for at least 3–5 years and used tobacco products 4–5 times per day.

In OSF grade II category, out of 75(31.3%) patients, 30 (40%) chewed paan masala/dohra, 16(21.3%) were habituated to gutka, 11 (14.7%) took betel quid along with areca nut and tobacco, 6(8%) smoked bidi/cigarettes [Figure 4]. Four (5.3%) patients chewed and smoked tobacco, 3(4%) were addicted to chewing and alcohol and another 3 (4%) were addicted to alcohol and smoking. One patient was addicted to alcohol and 1 patient did not have any habit. In this group, maximum patients were addicted for 7–10 years and daily consumed the substances 4–8 times per day.

One hundred and twelve (46.8%) patients had histopathological grade III disease and of these 60 (53.5%) chewed paan masala/dohra, 23 (20.4%) were habituated to gutka, 20 (18%) consumed betel quid with areca nut and tobacco, 3(2.7%) were smokers, 2 (1.8%) both chewed and smoked, 2 (1.8%) were addicted to alcohol and smoking, 1(0.9%) consumed alcohol and chewed tobacco and 1(0.9%) was addicted to alcohol. Majority of patients of this group consumed tobacco products for 8–10 years or more with a frequency of 6–10 times per day [Table 3, Figure 5].

Histological Findings	No of patients N = 239	Habits	No of Patients	Male N = 204	Female N = 35	Frequency/Day	Duration (Years)
OSMF I	52 (21.8%)	Chewing (Areca Nut/Dohra)	20 (38.5%)	17 (85%)	3 (15%)	3–4	3–4 yrs
		Gutka	10 (19.2%)	9 (90%)	1 (10%)	2–3	2–4 yrs
		Betel quid with areca nut and tobacco	7 (13.5%)	4 (57.2%)	3 (42.8%)	2–4	4–5 yrs
		Smoking (Bidi/Cigarettes/Pipes	5 (11.1%)	5 (100%)	0 (0%)	5–10	>5 yrs
		Alcohol	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0	0
		Chewing + Smoking	5 (9.6%)	4 (80%)	1 (20%)	2–5/	3–4 yrs
		Alcohol+ Chewing	3 (5.8%)	3 (100%)	0 (0%)	1–3	2–3 yrs
		Alcohol+ Smoking	2 (3.6%)	2 (100%)	0 (0%)	2–5	4–5 yrs
OSMF II	75 (31. 4%)	Chewing (Areca Nut/Dohra)	30 (40%)	24 (80%)	6 (20%)	7–10	8–10 yrs
		Gutka	16 (21.3%)	11(68.8%)	5 (31.2%)	5–6	7–10 yrs
		Betel quid with areca nut and tobacco	11 (14.7%)	7 (63.7%)	4 (36.3%)	6–9	6–7 yrs
		Smoking (Bidi/Cigarettes/Pipes)	6 (8%)	6 (100%)	0 (0%)	8–10	7–9 yrs
		Alcohol	1 (1.3%)	1 (100%)	0 (0%)	2–3	6–7
		Chewing + Smoking	4 (5.3%)	3 (75%)	1 (25%)	4–8	6–8 yrs
		Alcohol+ Chewing	3 (4%)	3 (100%)	0 (0%)	3–8	7–10 yrs
		Alcohol+ Smoking	3 (4%)	3 (100%)	0 (0%)	4–7	8–10 yrs
		None	1 (1.4%)	1 (100%)	0 (0%)
OSMF III	112 (46.8%)	Chewing(Areca Nut/Dohra)	60 (53.5%)	54 (90%)	6 (10%)	10–15	10–17 yrs
		Gutka	23 (20.4%)	21(91.3%)	2(8.7%)	8–10	7–10 yrs
		Betel quid with areca nut and tobacco	20 (18%)	17 (85%)	3 (15%)	7–9	7–9 yrs
		Smoking (Bidi/Cigarettes/Pipes)	3(2.7%)	3 (100%)	0 (0%)	8–10	9–10 yrs
		Alcohol	1(0.9%)	1 (100%)	0 (0%)	4–5	7–10
		Chewing + Smoking	2(1.8%)	2 (100%)	0 (0%)	6–9	8–10 yrs
		Alcohol+ Chewing	1(0.9%)	1 (100%)	0 (0%)	4–8	7– 9 yrs
		Alcohol+ Smoking	2(1.8%)	2 (100%)	0 (0%)	6–9	8–10 yrs

OSF is a potentially malignant disease of oral cavity and is most commonly found in Asian countries. Reichart et al suggested that as a result of transmigration of populations, an increasing number of OSF cases are being found in other countries. [7] It constitutes one of the major oral health problems in countries like India. In this study, 239 OSF patients were studied over a 4-year period. Majority of the patients were in the 21–30 years of age group with a male to female ratio 6.8:1. Kumar et al found similar results from Chennai. [8] Hazarey et al from Nagpur also reported that most of their patients were in the younger age group (< 30 years) with a similar male to female ratio of 5:1. [9] However, Zhang et al from China suggested that the prevalence of betel quid chewing is highest in the Hunan and Hainan provinces (64.5% to 82.7%) with signs of OSF in 0.9% to 4.7% of the population and the 30 to 49 years age group being the most commonly affected [10]

Areca nut, incriminated in the causation of OSF is often wrapped in the leaf of a tropical creeper, Piper betle L. commonly known as the betel leaf or paan [Figure 6]. The usage of paan is widespread in the Indian subcontinent, mostly in the Hindi speaking heartland of North and Central India.

In the Allahabad region, consumption of a unique preparation called dohra is widespread. [11] It is popular in the district as well as neighbouring regions of Jaunpur and Pratapgarh. It is a mixture of tobacco, slaked lime, areca nut and other ingredients like catechu (katha), peppermint and cardomom (illayachi)etc.It is a wet preparation and marketed without any brand name. About 200 mg product is kept in plastic bag and a rubber band is applied. One packet is sold for as less as one rupee (approx two US cents). Users consume tobacco (Surti/Zarda) with dohra according to their level of addiction. In this study, 110 (46%) patients, chewed paan masala/dohra. On the other hand, Kumar et al reported from Chennai that 81% of their patient's had the habit of chewing raw areca nut/commercial areca nut/paan masala. [8] Hazarey et al reported in their study from Nagpur in Western India that areca nut in its pure form was more commonly consumed by women while Khara/Mawa, the common name of gutka (combination of areca nut, paan masala and tobacco) in that region, was usually consumed by men. [9] Babu et al reported that habitual chewing of pan masala/gutkha is associated with earlier presentation of oral submucous fibrosis than betel quid use. [12] Thomas et al from South India suggested tobacco chewing was the most important risk factor for multiple oral premalignant lesions and may be a major etiological factor for cancers on the oral epithelium in the Indian population. [13]

In this study, 38 (15.8%) patients were addicted to betel quid with areca nut and tobacco.14 (5.9%) males were addicted to smoking alone. Only 2 (0.8%) males were habituated to alcohol, but no consistent correlation was found between the OSF and smoking/alcohol consumption. Ho et al reported a significant contribution of smoking and alcohol consumption to the malignant transformation of OSF [14] However, combination of alcohol, chewing and smoking was comparatively more dangerous, 25 (10.4%) patients were addicted to combination of chewing, smoking and alcohol. Similarly, Auluck et al reported from immigrant population in Canada that smoking and alcohol drinking along with areca quid chewing showed a significant association with leukoplakia, OSF and verrucous lesions. [15]

Buccal mucosa was found the most commonly involved site in 66(20.8%) patients followed by palate 37(17.7%) and the retromolar area 22(14.7%). Previous reports also corroborated these findings. [9, 14, 15] Bhugari et al from Pakistan also reported that mucosa of the cheek (55.9%) was the most common site followed by the tongue (28.4%) [16] While Reichart and Way reported the tongue was the most common site, in their study. [17] In this series, none of the patients were reported with involvement of the larynx, pharynx or the esophagus.

Clinically, trismus (opening of the mouth cavity) is an important symptom of OSF. In this study, 89 (37.2%) patients were found to have trismus of which, 16 (17.9%) had stage I, 51(57.3%) patients had stage II trismus followed by 22 (24.7%) of stage III. Chiu et al reported the trismus was the chief complaint in 90.8% of their patients. [18] Kumar et al also reported that 75% males and 80% females with OSF patients had stage II disease and suggested that this could be due to the fact that the majority of the patients reported for treatment only after the onset of restriction in their ability to open their mouths. [8] Hazarey et al also reported that maximum patients of OSF, in their study, had stage III trismus. [9]

On the correlation of addiction habit and histopathological findings, maximum patients had histopathological grade III OSF and took tobacco products for 8–10 years or more with high frequency (7–10 times per day) followed by histopathological grade II and I. Kumar et al suggested the patients who used paan masala with a greater frequency/day developed OSF with a shorter duration of the habit. [8] Maher et al from Pakistan reported that the daily consumption rate appears to be much more significant with respect to risk than the lifelong duration of the habit. [19] Some reports suggested that both the duration and daily frequency of areca nut use increase the risk of cancer, suggesting a dose-response relationship. [20] Similarly, Shah et al reported that the total duration of the chewing habit was not significantly correlated to OSF. They hypothesized that the exposure to the total burden of various harmful substances in a given period, i.e., daily consumption was more significant that the total duration of the habit. [21] No correlation was found between clinical grading and histopathological grading in this study akin to Kumar et al who did not find any correlation between clinical symptoms and degree of fibrosis. [8]

The treatment of patients with oral submucous fibrosis depends on the degree of clinical involvement. If the disease is detected at a very early stage, cessation of the habit is sufficient. Most patients with oral submucous fibrosis present with moderate-to-severe disease. Medical treatment is symptomatic and predominantly aimed at improving mouth movements. Treatment strategies include the following: Steroids, Placental extracts [22], Hyaluronidase, Pentoxifylline[23], IFN-gamma[24] and Lycopene[25].

Surgical treatment is indicated in patients with severe trismus and/or biopsy results revealing dysplastic or neoplastic changes. Surgical modalities that have been used include simple excision of the fibrous bands, Split-thickness skin grafting, Nasolabial flaps and lingual pedicle flaps. Use of a KTP-532 laser release procedure was recently found to increase mouth opening range in 9 patients over a 12-month follow-up period in one study [26].

Physical therapy using muscle-stretching exercises for the mouth may be helpful in preventing further limitation of mouth movements. This is often combined with medical and surgical therapy.

Surveillance for OSF is being carried out routinely in the department of Otorhinolaryngology out-patients department at the S.R.N. Hospital associated with the Medical School. As a small percentage of patients with OSF go on to develop malignancy, correlation of histopathological findings and clinical findings is important.

This study concluded that the widespread habits of chewing dohra and paan masala are the major risk factors of OSF, especially affecting the younger generation. An increase is found in histopathological grading and addiction habit and to the best of our knowledge, this correlation has not been attempted before. However no significant correlation was found between trismus and histopathological grading.