Background - Smokeless Tobacco, betel quid and areca in various forms are widely used in the Indian Subcontinent. The habit is not restricted to the elderly but also increasingly gaining popularity among adolescents. The association between these habit and OSMF is well proved, however the influence of age and variables related to the habit on the prognosis and behaviour needs further study. Aim: Aim of the present study was to compare the effect of age on the clinical stage of oral sub mucous fibrosis and to compare the effect of form, dosage and frequency of habit on the clinical stage of OSMF. Material and Methods: After due approval from the ethical committee, the present study was conducted at, School of Dental Sciences, KIMSDU, Karad. Consent was obtained and the information about the study given to the patients. Demographic data, habit related information was collected and clinical examination was performed. Results: Stage 2 and stage 3 OSMF is most commonly seen in 26-30 years and stage 1 in 15-20 years age group. When stage is correlated with the type of habit stage 1 patients had an habit of chewing of betel quid and stage 2and 3 patients had an habit of chewing areca nut followed by betel quid. Results were found to be non significant when staging was correlated with the gender. Conclusion: In this present study, Stage 2 and stage 3 OSMF was most commonly seen in 26-30 years and the results of the study indicate a more rapid progression when the habit is taken at an earlier age. There was a significant correlation between duration and frequency of habit with clinical staging of OSMF.
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