Psychiatric morbidity among patients with oral submucous fibrosis: a controlled study.

AIM The study aimed to evaluate the association between oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and psychiatric morbidity in a controlled manner. METHODS Matched patients were divided into three groups: Those with areca nut chewing habits with OSF (Group 1; n=50); those with areca nut chewing habits without OSF (Group 2; n=50); those without areca habits and with dental problems other than OSF (Group 3; n=50). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to assess psychiatric morbidity. Dependence to areca products was also assessed. RESULTS Sixteen (32%) Group 1 patients had psychiatric morbidity compared to one (2%) in Group 2 and two (4%) in Group 3 (P<0.001). Further, psychiatric morbidity was significantly higher among patients with advanced stages of OSF. In Groups 1 and 2, 49 (98%) and 47 (94%) patients, respectively, had dependence on areca products. CONCLUSION This study has suggested the association of substantial psychiatric morbidity among patients with OSF. In addition to mandatory psychiatric management of these patients, future research should be targeted at a prospective evaluation of a cause and effect relationship as well as at psychiatric interventions.