Salivary Copper Element Activity in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Biochemical and Clinicopathological Study

Introduction: There has been a subtle yet steady augmentation in oral submucous fibrosis, a potentially malignant disorder, both in India and across the world. Various efforts are being made to develop dependable and non-invasive biochemical tests for the early detection and diagnosis of this disorder. Of late, the role of specific salivary biomarkers has been studied comprehensively. Methods: In this study, the level of copper element, a specific salivary biomarker, was assessed among 160 subjects (i.e. 80 oral submucous fibrosis patients and 80 healthy controls). Their levels were compared with different grades of oral submucous fibrosis and the duration of habit. Result: The results revealed a positive correlation between the parameters in saliva samples of the two studied groups. There was significant increase in salivary copper levels in oral submucous fibrosis patients when compared to normal healthy individuals (P < 0.001). Positive relation was observed between those who had submucous fibrosis and with the duration of areca nut chewing.