Changes in prevalence of precancerous oral submucous fibrosis from 1996 to 2013 in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based retrospective study

Abstract

Background/purpose: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has been regarded as a precancerous condition. Research examining the prevalence of OSF could be the first step in preventing or reducing malignant transformation. In this study, we probed a nationwide registered database to assess the prevalence, gender distribution, age, income, and urbanization status of OSF patients in Taiwan.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the registered database compiled by the National Health Insurance provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan. We identified dental visit patients diagnosed with OSF during the period between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2013. In addition, demographic characteristics were analyzed by multivariate Poisson regression.

Results: The prevalence of OSF increased significantly from 8.3 (per 10⁵) in 1996 to 16.2 (per 10⁵) in 2013 (p < 0.0001). Men had a significantly higher OSF prevalence than women (p < 0.001). The mean age of patients with OSF increased from 1996 to 2013. Individuals living in rural areas had a higher risk of OSF compared with those living in urban areas [relative risk (RR), 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.13]. The higher income group had a lower risk of OSF compared with the lower income group (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.73-0.80).

Conclusion: This large-scale government-centered survey demonstrates that the prevalence of OSF in Taiwan significantly increased from 1996 to 2013. The prevalence was higher among men than among women.

Keywords: National Health Insurance; Taiwan; nationwide population; oral submucous fibrosis; prevalence.