Abstract
Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) was considered primarily as a disease prevalent in Southern Asia and southern Asian immigrants. However, it has been associated with an increased risk of malignant transformation and beginning to garner considerable attention world-wide. The main aim in management of OSMF is to relieve burning sensation and improve mouth opening.

Aim and Objective: This study aimed to compare efficacy of curcumin (2 g) and topical clobetasol propionate (0.05%) cream in management of OSMF.

Materials and Methods: This prospective and randomized study was conducted among sixty clinically diagnosed patients between age group of 18 and 50 years of age. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group A patients were instructed to apply topical clobetasol propionate cream (0.05%) thrice daily for 6 weeks. Group B patients were prescribed oral curcumin lozenges for 6 weeks. Recalls were done every week for up to 6 weeks for both groups for which burning sensation and mouth opening parameters were recorded.

Results: The prevalence of OSMF was more in the younger age group which was due to increase in the chewing habit. Reduction in burning sensation was seen among patients in both groups but a significant reduction of 6.67 was seen with clobetasol group when compared with curcumin group with mean reduction of 2.53. Marked improvement in mouth opening was seen with Clobetasol ointment group when compared to curcumin group with a mean increase in mouth opening of 3.57 mm in the former and only 0.47 mm improvement in the latter.

Conclusion: In the present study, both treatments were beneficial in reducing burning sensation significantly with clobetasol group showing better improvement as compared to curcumin group. There was a significant improvement in mouth opening with clobetasol group and nonsignificant results were obtained with curcumin group. Therefore, clobetasol can be opted as a drug of choice in improving mouth opening in OSMF patients.

Key words: Oral Submucous Fibrosis; Curcumin; Clobetasol; Arecanut