Evaluation of Platelet Parameters in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Background of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Context: The role of platelet parameters as markers of inflammation in various diseases is now in limelight. The interaction between cancer cells and platelets is a well-established phenomenon. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant disorder with a malignant transformation rate of 2-8%. This study aimed to evaluate platelet parameters in OSMF and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the background of OSMF. This cross-sectional study was performed using secondary data retrieved between January 2019 and December 2019 in the Department of Oral Pathology and the Hematology Laboratory. Methods and Materials: The data retrieved included 44 histopathologically proven OSCC in a background of OSMF (group III) and 36 OSMF (group II). The haematological parameters of these selected cases were retrieved from the Sysmex XN-1000 automated hematology analyser database. A control group (group I) comprises 50 subjects with normal (negative/unflagged) haematological parameters. All data were statistically analysed using SPSS 20.0. The significance level of tests was set at 5%. Results: The mean platelet volume (MPV) (9.60 [±0.95] P < 0.001), platelet distribution width (PDW) (10.45 [±1.9], P < 0.001), platelet large cell ratio (PLCR) (21.70 [±7.98], P < 0.001), and the ratio of mean platelet volume to total platelet count (MPV/PLT) (0.03 [0.01], P < 0.001) were lower in group III when compared to the other two groups. Conclusions: Platelet parameters may be used as indices in the OSCC in the background of OSMF. However, large-scale prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the utility of these parameters during the malignant transformation of OSMF, thereby encouraging prompt treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. Keywords: MPV, oral submucous fibrosis, oral submucous fibrosis turning malignant, platelet indices, platelet parameters