Influence of Risk Habits on Demographic Factors and its Impact on Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Objective: To establish a correlation and evaluate paradigm shift of demographic parameters in oral submucous fibrosis patients due to use of areca nut and tobacco. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Outpatient Department of Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Lahore from 1st November 2019 to 30th June 2021. Methodology: All patients with compliant of limited mouth opening and diagnosed clinically with oral submucous fibrosis were included. Biographical data was collected based on age, gender, literacy rate, socioeconomic conditions and habit of consumption of areca nut-based products and tobacco. Results: Prevalence of OSMF was 0.45% with mean age of 29.26±14.12 years. Areca nut alone is consumed more by females (44.12%) whereas combination of tobacco and areca nut use was higher in males (87.76%). Risk habits were found to be highest in uneducated/primary education (63.01%) and in low socioeconomic group (59.03%). Conclusion: Comparing the last two decades, there is paradigm shift in age of contracting OSMF towards younger age. Significant finding of areca nut use by females also draws attention for control measures. Harmful effects of areca nut and tobacco products should be highlighted and included in educational and community programs. Keywords: Oral submucous fibrosis, Potentially malignant disorders, Areca nut, Oral squamous cell carcinoma