Role of Physiotherapy in HPV Proven Cases of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Abstract

Background: To assess the role of physiotherapy in human papillomavirus (HPV) proven cases of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).

Materials and methods: Overall, 100 patients got recruited. Only histopathologic confirmed cases of OSMF were enrolled. Purified DNA of tissue blocks was quantified by spectrophotometry. Prevalence of HPV was evaluated. The participants got randomized into 2 cohorts: HPV positive cases and HPV negative cases. Physiotherapy was done and outcome was done and outcome was assessed and compared. Assessment of results was done by SPSS software followed by statistical evaluation.

Results: HPV was seen in 80% of the patients. Mean mouth opening pretreatment and postphysiotherapy among patients with HPV positive status was 26.31 mm and 30.12 mm, respectively. Mean mouth opening pretreatment and postphysiotherapy among patients with HPV negative status was 25.11 mm and 29.74 mm, respectively. Nonsignificant results were obtained while comparing the outcome of physiotherapy among HPV positive and negative groups.

Conclusion: Outcome of physiotherapy among OSMF patients is independent of HPV status.

Keywords: HPV; oral submucous fibrosis; physiotherapy.