Assessment and correlation between functional and histological staging of oral submucous fibrosis: A clinicohistopathologic study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a precancerous condition. It is widespread in the Asian subcontinent, with India bearing most of the burden. It is characterized by mucosal rigidity of varying intensity due to the fibroelastic changes of the juxta epithelial layer, resulting in a progressive inability to open the mouth. Early recognition with accurate staging of the disease and appropriate treatment planning is of utmost importance to prevent the malignant transformation and to improve the quality of life of the patient. In the present study, an attempt is made to clinically evaluate the condition and correlate it with the histopathological findings according to standard criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based study was conducted on sixty OSMF patients. Detailed history was recorded, and functional staging was given depending on mouth opening. Punch biopsy was performed, and histological stages were given based on standard criteria. The data so received were mathematically evaluated to determine whether any correlation exists between the stages using Chi-square test. RESULTS: < 0.001) between the functional and histologic stages. CONCLUSION: There is a definite correlation between functional and histological stages of OSMF which suggests that clinically advanced OSMF has extensive fibrosis histologically.