QUALITY OF LIFE IN ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS Dr. Shailesh M. Gondivkar BDS, MDS, Ph.D. Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Government Dental College & Hospital, Nagpur 440003, Maharashtra India

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning today I am here to discuss a very important subject: Oral Submucous Fibrosis and its impact on Quality of Life. This condition is a chronic progressive and debilitating disease of the oral cavity. It causes discomfort and reduces the ability to eat speak and even breathe significantly affecting the quality of life of those affected. In this presentation we will examine the effects of this condition and discuss the importance of assessing quality of life in those afflicted..

[Audio] Oral Submucous Fibrosis is a chronic condition affecting the fibrous tissue and mucous membrane lining of the oral cavity. Over time it affects the deeper layers of the oral cavity resulting in a loss of flexibility and the inability to fully open the mouth..

[Audio] The impact of Oral Submucous Fibrosis on quality of life is tremendous. Studies indicate that individuals from South and South East Asian countries are particularly vulnerable with the number of cases having increased from 0.03 to 6.42 in the last forty years. Thus more and more individuals are being affected by a considerable lowering of their quality of life..

[Audio] Oral Submucous Fibrosis is a progressive disorder of the mucous membranes in the mouth. It is believed to be caused by the alkaloid arecoline present in areca nut and is the most common oral mucosal disorder in those who regularly chew areca nuts. O-S-F can have a serious impact on quality of life as it limits the person's ability to eat and speak..

[Audio] O-S-F has been widely accepted but its impact on the younger generation's life is a growing worry. It is estimated that between 4.2% and 6% of O-S-F cases could lead to cancer. Among all ailments that influence the oral mucosa O-S-F has the highest mortality rate..

[Audio] "In this slide we focus on a person's quality of life when they are affected by Oral Submucous Fibrosis. This is an individual's subjective evaluation of their overall wellbeing which is influenced by multiple factors such as their objectives expectations values standards and worries. Quality of life depends on not only physical health but also mental emotional and spiritual wellbeing. This understanding allows us to focus on the physical and emotional impact of Oral Submucous Fibrosis and the importance of addressing these issues in providing the best possible care for those affected..

[Audio] Oral Submucous Fibrosis affects individuals across all age groups and genders. It can cause significant disruption to daily life activities which can include pain oral discomfort difficulty chewing and swallowing. This can ultimately affect an individual's Quality of Life. Quality of Life is an important measure of well-being and measures aspects such as cognitive spiritual physical psychological social economic and environmental components. When one area is disrupted it can have a knock on effect to all other areas which can ultimately affect the individual's Quality of Life as a whole." The effects of Oral Submucous Fibrosis on an individual's Quality of Life can be immense. This condition can cause pain oral discomfort and difficulty chewing and swallowing. Not only can this make it more difficult to complete daily tasks but it can also hinder an individual's social and economic well-being. It is important to remember that all components of Quality of Life are interconnected. A disruption in one area can have a knock on effect to all other areas meaning that QoL can drastically decrease. This is why it is so important to consider interventions that improve QoL for those affected by Oral Submucous Fibrosis..

Oral health related QoL (OHRQoL): A crucial element of the Global Oral Health Program in the WHO's 2003 World Oral Health Report Functional oral cavity allows an individual to achieve his/her day-to-day activities Issues with the mouth can cause discomfort, difficulty in speaking, eating, and esthetics.

[Audio] People suffering from Oral Submucous Fibrosis often report a decrease of their Quality of Life due to the discomfort and impairments caused by the condition. Questionnaire surveys using Quality of Life tools can be a useful way to understand how this disease affects those directly affected by it. Understanding the real impact of this condition is a crucial step towards developing proper treatments..

OSF features affecting QoL.

[Audio] Oral Submucous Fibrosis (O-S-M-F-) can have a major impact on an individual's ability to consume food and liquids and taste them. People suffering from this oral condition frequently experience tight and rigid oral mucosa difficulty moving their tongue and a burning sensation in their throat. These symptoms can cause malnutrition and weight loss making life significantly more difficult..

Occasional ulcers Difficulty in speaking Difficulty in performing oral hygiene Hearing impairment Dysphonia.

[Audio] O-S-F not only has a devastating physical effect it also has psychological and emotional implications. Receiving the diagnosis of O-S-F brings a number of worries and anxieties. Patients commonly feel embarrassed due to their condition. If left untreated O-S-F can worsen and even lead to malignant forms of the disease..

Social impact. Offended in attending social events/gatherings OSF affects relation with your family & friends.

[Audio] Research has shown that Oral Submucous Fibrosis has considerable negative effects on Quality of Life. Factors such as pain speech and food consumption difficulties social interaction depression and overall health are all affected. Furthermore Quality of Life decreases as the severity of O-S-F increases highlighting the insidiousness of this condition. It is essential to recognize the impacts that O-S-F can have on people's lives..

[Audio] This slide talks about the different kinds of Quality of Life instruments that we use to measure the impact of Oral Submucous Fibrosis. In general Generic QoL instruments can offer less sensitivity to a clinical change and are therefore more likely to miss important findings. On the other hand Disease-specific QoL instruments are a better health outcome indicator to best characterize the symptoms or sense of well-being of patients..

[Audio] Researchers have developed multiple generic instruments to measure the quality of life of patients suffering from Oral Submucous Fibrosis such as the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (E-O-R-T-C) ohip-14 the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder Quality of Life (OPMDQoL) tool. These instruments provide clinicians with an objective measure of the effects of the illness on the patient's daily life..

[Audio] OHRQoL-OSF is a tool to evaluate the effects of Oral Submucous Fibrosis on a person's Quality of Life. It measures a person's sense of comfort or symptoms that may be linked to the illness. Possessing this data lets healthcare professionals comprehend the consequences of the disease more accurately and provide more effective treatments..

[Audio] O-S-F short for Oral Submucous Fibrosis is a debilitating condition with detrimental effects in multiple areas. Its progression can cause a decline in quality of life yet this can be addressed by identifying and addressing target areas impacted by the disease simultaneously. With such approaches the quality of life for those dealing with O-S-F can be significantly improved..

[Audio] Submucous Oral Fibrosis has a significant effect on people's quality of life. Its symptoms like ulcerations burning sensation and worsening oral health can cause immense distress. Fortunately these symptoms can be greatly improved even without treating the root of the disease. Enhancing these symptoms can provide alleviation to those affected by Submucous Oral Fibrosis and drastically improve their quality of life..

Thank You.