Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of 834 Oral Submucous Fibrosis Cases: A Retrospective Institutional Study

Abstract

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic fibrotic oral potentially malignant disorder strongly associated with areca-nut exposure. Objective: To describe the demographic profile, principal recorded habits, chief complaints, associated oral findings, and documented management in a large institutional series of OSMF cases. Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was performed on 834 institutional case records with a documented clinical/provisional diagnosis of OSMF. Available variables were summarised using frequencies and percentages; age was analysed in predefined bands, and the sex distribution was analysed separately. Carcinoma identified in the records was treated as a concurrent associated diagnosis rather than as a longitudinal malignant-transformation event. Results: The cohort included 708 males (84.9%) and 126 females (15.1%). The largest age groups were 21–30 years (273; 32.7%), 31–40 years (243; 29.1%), and 41–50 years (203; 24.3%). Principal recorded habits were gutkha use (245; 29.4%), smoked tobacco (237; 28.4%), tobacco chewing (234; 28.1%), betel-quid use (72; 8.6%), and kharra use (46; 5.5%). Burning sensation (279; 33.5%) and reduced mouth opening (247; 29.6%) were the most frequent principal chief complaints. Coexisting leukoplakia was documented in 145 patients (17.4%) and carcinoma in 35 (4.2%). Medicinal treatment was recorded for all 834 cases, habit cessation for 830 (99.5%), and surgical intervention for 35 (4.2%). Conclusion: This institutional series demonstrates a marked male predominance and substantial representation of young adults with OSMF. The findings support prevention centred on complete cessation of areca-nut and tobacco products, careful assessment of coexisting oral potentially malignant lesions, and long-term surveillance. Concurrent carcinoma in a retrospective case series should not be interpreted as a malignant-transformation rate without longitudinal follow-up.