Serum Iron Indices in Patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis- A Comparative Study

Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder whose etiopathogenesis is still under investigation. Studies have reported altered serum iron levels in patients with OSMF. Hence, iron has been proposed to play an important role in the incidence and progression of the disease. This study was undertaken to understand the role of iron in the etiopathogenesis of OSMF by estimating haemoglobin and serum iron indices (serum iron, Total iron binding capacity [TIBC], percentage transferrin saturation and serum ferritin) in subjects with OSMF. Materials and Methods: Study group comprised of patients with histopathologically confirmed OSMF (n = 30). Age and sex matched subjects with clinically normal mucosa were selected as control group (n = 15). Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron, and TIBC were estimated (Siemens Dimension RXL Max Integrated chemistry system™). Statistical analysis used: SPSSv16 was used for statistical analysis. Independent sample t test was performed to compare the values between the study group and control group. ‘p’ value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: There was a significant decrease in the haemoglobin, serum iron percentage transferrin saturation, serum ferritin levels and an increase in TIBC levels in the study (OSMF) group when compared to the control group (P < 0.001). TIBC levels showed a significant (P< 0.001) increase in the study group. Among the study group 44% were in an anemic state as per the hemoglobin values. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that, iron deficiency state is prevalent among patients with OSMF. This deficiency of iron has an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of this disease.