Prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis among habitual gutkha and areca nut chewers in Dhanbad district

Objectives: To assess the incidence rate of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and its etiology in patients attending outpatient department at Patliputra Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Dhanbad. Methodology: The diagnosis of OSMF was based on clinical examination and evaluating patient's signs and symptoms. Results: The total number of patients affected by OSMF in this time duration was 270. Of these, 232 (86%) were male, while 38 were female (14%). The greatest proportion of OSMF patients (58.58%) had a habit of chewing areca nut alone or in the form of gutkha. Conclusion: This study reveals that the incidence rate of OSMF in patients visiting PMCH, Dhanbad was 1%. Males were more affected than females. It was seen that the major etiological factors in the development of OSMF was areca nut and gutkha usage by the patients.