Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Shweta Chouhan.
ShwetaChouhan@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Oral Submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is known and established to be precancerous. Altered trace element status has been reported in both the potentially malignant and malignant stages. Hence; the present study was conducted for evaluating the salivary copper and zinc levels in OSMF patients. Materials & methods: A total of 30 patients with confirmed clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of OSMF were included in the present study. Another set of 30 subjects with absence of any tobacco or area-nut habit, which came for routine dental check-up were included as healthy controls.  Complete demographic and clinical details were recorded. After confirming the diagnosis, all the subjects were recalled in the morning and were made to sit on the dental chair. Salivary samples were obtained in a sterile test tube and were sent to the laboratory for assessment. Auto-analyser was used for analysing the salivary copper and zinc levels.  Results: Mean salivary copper levels among the patients of the OSMF group and control group was 0.039 μg/ml and 0.019 μg/ml, respectively. Mean salivary zinc levels among the patients of the OSMF group and control group was 0.468 μg/mL and 0.239 μg/mL, respectively. While comparing statistically, it was seen that mean salivary copper and zinc levels were significantly increased in OSMF patients.  Conclusion: Copper and zinc are significantly altered in OSMF patients highlighting their role in the pathogenesis of the disease. However; further studies are recommended.

Keywords: Copper, Zinc, Oral submucous fibrosis.