Omega 3: a novel treatment agent in oral submucous fibrosis: A pilot study

Abstract

Background

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic debilitating disease and a premalignant condition of the oral cavity. It is well known for its impervious nature to medical therapy. Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to have anti inflammatory properties. However, its role in OSF is still not known. This preliminary study assessed the efficacy of systemic omega 3 in this disease.

Methods

A randomized single blinded controlled trial was designed and a total of 10 clinically confirmed adult patients of OSF were included in the study. Group A was given biweekly intralesional injections of dexamethasone 1.5ml & Hyaluronidase 1500 IU mixed with lignocaine for 6 weeks & a placebo for 3 months. Group B was also given similar intralesional injections but with 1 gm of omega 3 three times daily continuously for 3 months. Patients were followed every month for 3 months and then after 6 months.

Results

Significant improvement was noted among all clinical parameters (interincisal distance, tongue protrusion, cheek flexibility and visual analogue scale) in both the groups. Intergroup comparison showed significant reduction of burning sensation in group B i.e. i.e. p value was 0.005 while improvement in rest three clinical features was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Omega 3 can be used as an adjunctive treatment option in patients of OSF to reduce subjective symptoms. More studies should be conducted with a larger sample size to study the effect of omega 3 in OSF patients.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2i40KVn