Prevalence and Correlation of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder Among Tobacco and Arecanut Users in Gwalior District

ABSTRACT:
Background- Oral cancer can arise from potentially malignant illnesses through a series of stages, 
including  genetic,  epigenetic,  and  metabolic  changes.  Some  risk  factors  that  increase  the  risk  of 
developing oral cancer include using tobacco products, especially smokeless tobacco (SLT). The aim of 
this study was to find correlation & prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorder in tobacco and 
areca nut user's people residing in Gwalior district.
Materials & Methods- A cross-sectional study with a descriptive design was carried out on 3042 
participants. The study participants were selected from screening camps and in a hospital environment 
using simple random sampling. A survey was conducted to gather information on sociodemographic 
traits, different risk factors for oral cancer, and the existence of the disease's symptoms. The research 
investigator thoroughly examined each participant's oral cavity in accordance with WHO criteria for the 
early detection of OPMD.
Results- the prevalence of OPMD was 4.27% among tobacco users. OSMF accounted for 1.58% of all 
cases. Tobacco users had a 3.241-fold increased incidence of OPMD (CI-0.041-0.303, p-0.01). The 
consumption of areca nut has increases the incidence of OPMD by 7.17 (CI: 0.747-6.503, p-0.001) 
times. Alcohol raises the risk of OPMD by 1.51 (CI- 0.002-0.128, p-0.05) times. Males had a 2.54 (1.10-
2.42,p-0.01) times increased chance of getting OPMD. Age group 18-30 showed 1.84 (1.32-2.15, p-
0.001) times higher chance of developing OPMD.
Conclusion- The research reaffirms that the usage of drugs including alcohol, tobacco, and areca nut is 
one of the modifiable risk factors for OPML.