Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, complex, premalignant (1% transformation risk) condition of the oral cavity, characterized by juxta-epithelial inflammatory reaction and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissues (the lamina propria and deeper connective tissues). As the disease progresses, the oral mucosa becomes fibrotic to the point that the person is unable to open the mouth.[1][2] The condition is remotely linked to oral cancers and is associated with the chewing of areca nut and/or its byproducts, commonly practiced in South and South-East Asian countries.[3] The incidence of OSF has also increased in western countries due to changing habits and population migration.[4]
^Aziz SR (1997). "Oral submucous fibrosis: an unusual disease". Journal of the New Jersey Dental Association. 68 (2): 17–19. PMID9540735.
^More CB, Rao NR, More S, Johnson NW (2020). "Reasons for Initiation of Areca Nut and Related Products in Patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis within an Endemic Area in Gujarat, India". Substance Use & Misuse. 55 (9): 1413–1421. doi:10.1080/10826084.2019.1660678. PMID32569538. S2CID219991434.
^More C, Shah P, Rao N, Pawar R (2015). "Oral Submucous Fibrosis: An Overview with Evidence Based Management". International Journal of Oral Health Sciences and Advances. 3 (3): 40–9.