Quantification of Plasma Fibrinogen Degradation Products in Areca Nut Chewers with and without Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Introduction: Fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) are the products that are released from fibrin/fibrinogen. Recently, it has been observed that these FDPs have been identified in the plasma of OSMF patients. Areca nut being the major aetiological agent for OSMF may play a role in the increased plasma levels of FDPs in OSMF. Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify the plasma FDPs levels in the individuals with the habit of areca nut chewing with and without OSMF. Materials & Methods: Total of 95 subjects were included,35 subjects with the habit of areca nut chewing with OSMF, 30 with the habit of areca nut chewing without OSMF, 30 without any habit of areca nut chewing without OSMF (control group). Five ml of venous blood was withdrawn from all the subjects and plasma FDP levels were estimated. Results: Plasma FDPs were detected in all the subjects of OSMF but could not be detected in other two groups. As the clinical grades of OSMF increased, levels of plasma FDPs also increased. <bold> </bold>Conclusion: When plasma FDP increases, fibrin deposition also increases. This strengthens the finding that these FDPs may be an early indicator of the OSMF.