Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 8

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Arti Mewara.
ArtiMewara@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the common chronic debilitating diseases of the oral cavity. The role of copper and zinc as mediators in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in OSMF has been postulated. Hence, the present preliminary study was planned to assess serum levels of copper and zinc in OSMF patients. Materials & methods: The present study included evaluation of serum copper and zinc levels in OSMF patients. A total of 20 OSMF patients and 20 apparently healthy controls were included in this study. Serum samples were obtained in the morning hours for standardization and were assessed for serum copper and zinc levels in both the study group and the control group. The results were analysed by SPSS software.  Results: The mean serum copper levels of OSMF group subjects were found to be significantly higher in comparison to the mean serum copper levels of the control group. The mean serum zinc levels of OSMF group subjects were found to be significantly lower in comparison to the mean serum zinc levels of the control group. Conclusion: Both copper and zinc play mediating roles in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis and may be considered to be of diagnostic value.

Keywords: Copper, Zinc, Oral submucous fibrosis, OSMF, Trace element.