title: Evaluation of serum copper and iron levels among oral submucous fibrosis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate and compare the levels of serum copper and iron among subjects with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) of different clinical stages and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study sample comprised of 50 patients clinically diagnosed with OSMF and 50 healthy controls who were matched for age and gender. OSMF patients were categorised by clinical staging. Serum estimation of copper and iron was done using atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean copper and iron level differed significantly (p < 0.000) between the patients and controls with patients exhibiting higher copper (134.1 ± 20.16) and lower iron (114.78 ± 23.47) levels in contrast to controls who presented lower copper (114.8 ± 12.36) and higher iron (130.86 ± 31.01) levels in serum. There was a definite trend as (P < 0.0001) with cases having the lesion in faucial bands (1st stage) exhibiting the lowest serum copper and those in stage 3 (faucial, labial and buccal bands) presenting the highest copper levels in serum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Copper level increased and iron level decreased in study group in comparison to healthy controls. Copper level increased as clinical stage of oral submucous fibrosis increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of oral medicine and radiology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra pradesh, India. docjyotia@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Jyothi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tadakamadla
authors.forename: Santhosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Mamatha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: GP
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron