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Increased severity of oral submucous fibrosis in young Pakistani men
A T Merchant1, S M Haider, F F Fikree
1Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Objective:
To investigate the influence of age and sex on the incidence of severe oral submucous fibrosis (mouth opening 15 mm or less).
Design:
Case (severe disease) control (mild disease) study.
Setting:
University hospital, Pakistan.
Subjects:
147 patients with severe (mouth opening 15 mm or less) and 83 with mild disease (mouth opening 20 mm or more).
Main Measures:
Influence of sex and age on severity of oral submucous fibrosis.
Results:
Men were twice as likely as women to have severe disease (odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) of OR 1.15 to 3.47, P=0.02). Men in the 20-39 year age group were 4.8 times as likely as women to have severe disease (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.15 to 15.5, P=0.00004). Men aged 40 years or more were 40% less likely to have severe disease than women (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.88, P=0.39).
Conclusions:
Smoking increases the carcinogenic potential of submucous fibrosis. As men in this population smoke more than women, men with severe oral submucous fibrosis may develop oral cancer and die younger. Alternatively, young men may consume more areca nut than women.
Insights
Men are more likely to develop severe oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) than women, particularly younger men. This increased risk in males may be linked to higher rates of smoking and areca nut consumption.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a potentially malignant disorder characterized by restricted mouth opening.
- The influence of demographic factors like age and sex on OSF severity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how age and sex impact the incidence of severe oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted involving 147 patients with severe OSF and 83 with mild OSF.
- Data on patient sex and age were collected to assess their influence on disease severity.
Main Results:
- Men exhibited twice the likelihood of severe OSF compared to women (OR 2.0).
- Younger men (20-39 years) were 4.8 times more prone to severe OSF than women (OR 5.8).
- Men aged 40 and above showed a reduced likelihood of severe OSF compared to women (OR 0.6).
Conclusions:
- Higher rates of smoking and areca nut consumption in men may contribute to severe OSF.
- Severe OSF in men could increase the risk of oral cancer and premature mortality.
- Targeted public health interventions for at-risk male populations are warranted.