Efficacy of oral colchicine with intralesional hyaluronidase or triamcinolone acetonide in the Grade II oral submucous fibrosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder of oral mucosa affecting mainly population in South and Southeast Asia. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of oral colchicine with intralesional injection of hyaluronidase or injection triamcinolone acetonide in patients with Grade II OSMF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included thirty patients of clinically diagnosed Grade II OSMF. Patients were divided randomly into two groups: Group A patients were treated by administrating tablet colchicine 0.5 mg twice daily with an intralesional injection of hyaluronidase 1500 IU with 0.5 ml of lignocaine hydrochloride at weekly interval for 12 weeks. Group B patients were treated by administering tablet colchicine 0.5 mg twice daily with an intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/ml at weekly interval for 12 weeks. Clinical diagnosis was based on burning sensation in mouth, blanching of mucosa, presence of vesicles or ulceration in oral cavity, and reduced mouth opening. Outcome assessment was done at intervals of 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: Improvement in mouth opening and reduction in burning sensation was seen more in Group A patients. Improvement in blanching of mucosa was seen in both the groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, use of injection hyaluronidase with oral colchicine gave better results in terms of increase in mouth opening and improvement in burning sensation without notable side effects. However, for a definite conclusion, further study with large sample size and long follow-up is required.