Journal of Research and Advancement in Dentistry
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Year : 2021
Volume : Volume 12
Issue : Issue 4
Address for correspondence :
Takshil D. Shah
shahtakshil1991@gmail.com
Background: Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer around the globe and one of the largest groups of cancer in the Indian subcontinent. The incidence and prevalence of oral precancerous lesions are rising due to an increase in number of people consuming tobacco and related products. This study aims to find the prevalence of use of tobacco, areca nut, and related products and associated oral mucosal lesions. Materials and Methods: It is a hospital-based prevalence study conducted at dental college in Central Gujarat. The study population were 1143 subjects having tobacco, areca nut, and related products associated oral mucosal lesions. A standardized extraoral and intraoral examination was performed by trained dental surgeons. All the details were entered into the specially designed pretested “Pro forma.” The unpaired “t” tests, Chi-square tests, and Fisher’s exact test were applied as required. P < 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 44,681 subjects (with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1) of above 15 years were examined. Among them, s total of 4667 (10.45%) subjects were having adverse habits in which a total of 1143 (24.5%) subjects were having oral habit-related lesions. Bidi smoking was a most prevalent habit (29.83%) followed by gutkha chewing (25.10%). Maximum patients were having habit of smoking from 11 to 15 years with frequency of 11 to 20 times/day, while in case of chewing, most of the patients were having habit for <5 years with frequency <10 times/day still more incidence of precancerous lesions were developed because of tobacco chewing. Conclusion: Prevalence rate of our study does not reflect the whole population but may prove valuable in planning future oral health studies. Increase in prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis, especially in lower age group in our study, is alarming.
Keywords: Prevalence study, Oral precancerous lesions, Oral cancer, Tobacco, Areca nut.
