Evaluating the effects of frequency and duration of tobacco use on oral mucosa in patients visiting Hamdard University Dental Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background Use of tobacco in any form (Smoke or Smokeless) is one of the most popular habits around the globe that over one billion people routinely consume tobacco products like cigrates, chalia, pan, niswar (1). Almost 23.9 million Pakistani adults currently use tobacco in any form like cigarettes smoking, betel nut, betel quid, pan chalia, are all well recognized habits in developing oral lesions including precancerous and cancerous lesions like Smokers melanosis, Submucous fibrosis, Lichen Planus, Leukoplakia, Oral Squamous cell Carcinoma (OSCC) etc(2). Location and type of oral mucosal lesions varies with the way tobacco is consumed along with its frequency and duration. Objectives Objective of the current study is to assess the effects of frequency and duration of tobacco (Smoke and Smokeless) use on oral mucosa among patients reported at Hamdard University Dental Hospital. Methods The study designed as case-control and data has been collected from 280 individuals who were tobacco users categorized in groups of smokers, chewers and mixed according to their habits. Half of the subjects were assigned as cases (diagnosed with oral mucosal lesion) and the remaining half assigned as controls (who were lesion free). The study protocol includes questionnaire-based interview along with clinical examination of Oral cavity. Statistical assessment has been performed with SPSS 16.0 software guided with Chi square test and association of the variables with the lesions would be assessed through multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Eight different types of mucosal lesions noticed in the oral cavity among patients who have habits of smoking (cigrates), chewing (betel nuts) and mixed habits (Smoking and chewing). Out of which Leukoplakia found to be the commonest lesion within oral cavity following OSF (Oral submucous fibrosis) and smoker’s melanosis. Conclusion Outcomes of this study shows valuable data on association of oral lesions in patients who were involved in the habits of smoking, chewing and both (mixed). Few precancerous and cancerous conditions like oral squamous cell carcinoma were also encountered along with other mucosal lesions. Males were more prevalent in these habits than females therefore the majority of the lesions found in men. Moreover, increase in the frequency and duration of habits significantly increases the risk of developing lesions in case population.