European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: In several countries, including India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China,
Canada, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and other South East Asian countries, the usage of
areca nut in its different forms is very widespread and has contributed to the production of
a rare generalized fibrosis of the oral tissues called oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Oral
submucous fibrosis (OSMF) can lead to psychiatric morbidity. Aim: Assess the level of
depression among oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients. Materials and Methods: It
was descriptive research design, carried out at IPD and OPD patients of Acharya Vinoba
Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Both males and females with the confirmed
diagnosis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) were sample. Total 100 patients were
recruited for the present study by purposive sampling techniques. Beck Depression
inventory used for assessing the depression level. The sample characteristics and level of
depression were described by frequency, percentage and unpaired ‘t’ test and one way
ANNOVA were used to find out the association between the level of depression score of
Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) patients with their demographic variables. Results: The
study result reveled that majority of participants (27%) were in 31-40 years of age group ,
54% were Hindus, 64% were from rural areas, 59% belonged to joint family , 41% had
monthly income of between 5001-10000 Rs, 71% were married, 34% of the OSMF patients
were laborer, 29% had habit of chewing betel nut and tobacco and when assess their
depression level it was found that 8% of the OSMF patients had mild depression, 91% had
moderate depression and only 1% had severe depression. Conclusion: Oral submucous
fibrosis (OSMF) patients suffered from depression so health professionals have to focus on
their mental health.