Abstract
AIM: To estimate the Vitamin B12 level and serum iron levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis patients as compared to healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the total forty (40) participants, twenty had positive history for tobacco chewing (cases) with burning sensations, blanching, stiffness of the oral mucosa and reduced mouth opening. The other twenty participants were healthy individuals (controls) in the same age and gender. Serum iron and vitamin B12 profile has been estimated in all individuals to compare and correlate between cases and controls. RESULTS: Vitamin B12 levels were decreased in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and were found to be statistically significant (P = 0.014) as compared to healthy controls. A significant correlation was also found between the serum iron level in case group which is in significant moderate positive correlation (ρ =0.57) with vitamin B12, and it is statistically significant (P = 0.009) whereas in control group too serum iron level is also in significant moderate positive correlation (ρ =0.72) with vitamin B12, and it is statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum vitamin B12 and iron levels in OSMF patients is significantly reduced and can be considered as a reliable biochemical indicator and may help in early diagnosis and prognosis.