EVALUATION OF SERUM COPPER, ZINC, IRON AND MAGNESIUM LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS: A HOSPITAL-BASED COMPARATIVE CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a long-lasting and progressive disorder that can become cancerous. It is mainly linked to chewing areca nut and smokeless tobacco. The condition causes the tissues in the mouth to become stiff, which leads to limited mouth opening, a burning feeling, and a higher risk of cancer. Changes in certain trace elements in the blood have been connected to how OSMF develops and could help track the disease or catch it early. Aim: To estimate and compare the serum levels of trace elements—copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium—in patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based comparative case-control study was conducted in the Department of Oral Pathology, Vyas Dental College and Hospital, Jodhpur. A total of 50 participants were enrolled, comprising 25 clinically diagnosed OSMF patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The clinical diagnosis was based on a detailed history and characteristic oral manifestations. Venous blood samples were collected, serum was separated by centrifugation, and trace element concentrations (copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium) were estimated using standard reagent kits with a semi-automatic analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 15.0. Independent t test, Chi-square test, and one-way ANOVA were applied, with a p-value ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: OSMF predominantly affected young adults, with the majority of patients belonging to the 21–40-year age group, and demonstrated a marked male predominance. Serum copper levels were significantly higher in OSMF patients compared with healthy controls. In contrast, serum zinc, iron, and magnesium levels were significantly lower in the OSMF group (p ≤ 0.05). Serum copper showed a significant positive association with the duration of chewing habits, while serum zinc also demonstrated a significant association. Iron and magnesium did not show a statistically significant correlation with habit duration. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates a significant imbalance in serum trace element levels among patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis. Elevated serum copper and decreased serum zinc, iron, and magnesium levels may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of OSMF. These findings suggest that serum trace element estimation may serve as a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective adjunctive biomarker for the early diagnosis and monitoring of OSMF. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to validate these observations.