Evaluation of Haemoglobin and Iron Levels in Serum of Patients with Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis: A Clinical Study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Oral sub mucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, insidious oral mucosal condition affecting the most parts of the oral cavity with high malignant transformation rate triggered by areca nut chewing, nutritional deficiencies, immunologic processes, and genetic predisposition. OSMF causes significant haematological abnormalities resulting in change in levels of various elements. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the haemoglobin and iron levels in serum among patients with oral sub mucous fibrosis and to compare the values with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: In this clinical study 50 patients who were diagnosed histopathologically with OSMF and 50 healthy individuals will be included, and the values of haemoglobin levels will be estimated using Sahli's serum iron by Ferrene methods. Results: OSMF patients showed significantly lower levels of haemoglobin and serum iron when compared with the healthy subjects. Conclusion: The present study shows the serum iron assessment for patients with oral sub mucous fibrosis. Determining iron status is a part of biochemical assessment, which may be of proactive intervention for high-risk groups. It is suggested that the biochemical assessment of oral precancerous conditions may help in early diagnosis and prognosis. It is also of key importance that iron therapy should be instituted parallel with the initial diagnosis along with a proper balanced diet, as a part of the overall treatment of oral sub mucous fibrosis with other modes of treatment. This helps to stop the further progression of the condition.