Comparative evaluation of alteration in salivary flow rate between betal Nut/Gutkha chewers with and without OSMF, and healthy subjects: A prospective case-control study

Context: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) has infested the oral cavities of “betel nut” and “gutkha” chewers in a pandemic manner. It has one of the highest rates of malignant transformation among the various oral potentially malignant epithelial lesions. Chewing of gutkha alters the salivary parameters including salivary flow rate (SFR) as well as salivary pH. Aim: The present study intended to assess and compare the SFR between betel nut/gutkha chewers with and without OSMF and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective case–control study comprising 90 individuals within an age range of 15–50 years who were divided into three groups with Group A consisting of 30 patients who were betel nut/gutkha chewers with OSMF, Group B consisting of 30 individuals who were betel nut/gutkha chewers but without OSMF and Group C consisting of 30 healthy controls who were included as normal controls. The assessment of the SFR was done and the results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The mean SFR in Group B patients was significantly more than Group A and Group C individuals. Moreover, the mean SFR in patients with OSMF Stage I was significantly more as compared to patients in Stage II and Stage III OSMF. Conclusion: We concluded that reduced SFR could be an initial subjective sign of OSMF. An early diagnosis and management of these changes can help such patients to improve their quality of life significantly and decreases the chance of the ongoing malignant transformation with early intervention.