The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Potential Oral Malignant Disorders in a Middle Aged North Indian Population

INTRODUCTION: The menace of oral cancer has become a public health concern and its prevalence is increasing with every passing day, making it the sixth most common cancer across the globe. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for potential oral malignant disorders in a middle aged north Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This Cross-sectional study was carried out on 1260 individuals in Delhi and NCR. A questionnaire was created to record information about socio demographic traits, oral hygiene routines, threat associated to oral probable malignant disorders .The Oral Mucosal lesions were examined by professionals. Results. The Overall Prevalence of Potential oral malignant disorders was found to be with oral submucous fibrosis (6.09%) found in a greater extent and erythroplakia (0.15%)found to be lesser. RESULTS: It was documented that 11.48% of the Northern Indian Population which suffered from oral malignant lesions, with the prevalence rates of leukoplakia in 3.01%, Lichen Planus in 1.42% and lowest being erythroplakia in 0.15% of the subjects. The prevalence of oral malignant lesions among males was found to be higher(12.8%) as compared to females p value <0.0001. No significant difference was found between categories of socio-economic status, tooth brushing methods ,brushing frequency with prevalence of oral malignant disorders CONCLUSION: The Study augments an interrelation between tobacco and areca nut consumption with oral probable malignant disorders. An interrelation of oral probable malignant disorders with diabetes and BMI was confirmed by this study.