Distribution of Oral Submucous Fibrosis Cases and Malignant Transformation Rate among Bhutanese Patients Treated at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Bhutan

BACKGROUND: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, insidious, scarring disease of the mouth often involving palate, oro-pharynx, pharynx, esophagus, tongue and buccal mucosa which leads to ulceration, blanching ultimately limited opening. The aim study describe age, gender district-wise distribution oral submucous fibrosis cases assess malignant transformation rate among patients with who were treated at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan.MATERIALS AND METHOD: This descriptive retrospective study. clinically diagnosed by examining their measuring opening (Inter-incisal height). Patients had less than 3 fingers as during these three-year period from 2018 2020 considered for study.RESULTS: There 278 in total. Thimphu district maximum number followed Wangduephodrang Samtse. Gasa Haa districts minimum cases. More males affected females. was 4.3%.CONCLUSION: highest proportion OSMF almost equally distributed genders. Over 90% reported improvement without surgery while malignancy 4.3%. recommends conducting screening high burden early diagnosis treatment.