Association between Abo Rh Blood Groups and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

Background: A number of potentially malignant disorders like leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis constitute a detectable pre-clinical phase of oral cancer. There is a high prevalence of these lesions in India, which is attributed to culture, ethnic, geographic factors, low socio-economic status and varying lifestyle factors. The genetic relation of these lesions is less studied. Blood groups play an important role in the immunogenetic system. Very few studies have been done in India to see the association between blood group and potentially malignant disorders. Hence the present study was under taken to assess the relationship between ABO Rh blood group and oral potentially malignant disorders. Materials and methods: 154 cases with oral potentially malignant disorders diagnosed based on the WHO criteria (1980) were included in the study. Patients reporting to M.S.Ramaiah Dental and Hospital, Bangalore and Kaiwara center (a peripheral outreach center) were included in the study after obtaining an informed consent. Information regarding sociodemographic details was collected using proforma and blood group was assessed using blood group kit with Rapid slide test method. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software11. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were used to find the