PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ORAL POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT DISORDERS IN TOBACCO USERS

Background: Tobacco use is a major public health concern and a leading cause of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). This study aims to assess the prevalence of OPMDs and associated risk factors among tobacco users.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,800 tobacco users attending outpatient clinics across three tertiary care centers. Participants were evaluated for OPMDs through clinical examinations and a structured questionnaire capturing demographic data, tobacco use patterns, and associated risk factors. Logistic regression
analysis was used to identify significant predictors of OPMDs.
Results: The prevalence of OPMDs was 23.6% (n = 661). Leukoplakia (12.4%) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) (8.7%) were the most common OPMDs observed. Chewing tobacco was significantly associated with OSMF (OR = 3.42; 95% CI: 2.56–4.58; p < 0.001), while smoking tobacco was a major risk factor for leukoplakia (OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 2.11–3.97; p < 0.001). Other significant risk factors included duration of tobacco use >10 years (OR = 4.12; 95% CI: 3.01–5.65; p < 0.001) and concurrent alcohol consumption (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.89– 3.37; p < 0.001).
Conclusions: OPMDs are highly prevalent among tobacco users, with specific patterns of use posing distinct risks.
Public health interventions focusing on cessation and early detection are essential to reduce the burden of OPMDs.