• Shun-Fa Yang, Yu-Hsun Wang, Ni-Yu Su, Hui-Chieh Yu, Chia-Yi Wei, Chuan-Hang Yu, and Yu-Chao Chang.
• Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2018 Feb 1; 117 (2): 147-152.

Background/PurposeOral 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionThis 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.Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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