Evaluation of Ki-67 Expression in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Its Correlation with Clinical and Histopathological Features

OBJECTIVES: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder. Although it shows atrophic epithelium, it has a high proliferative capacity. Therefore, this study correlates the Ki-67. (The name “ki” is derived from the city of origin [Kiel, Germany] expression with functional grading and epithelial thickness in OSMF). METHODS: The study group comprised of thirty patients of OSMF, divided randomly into Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D as per mouth opening (functional staging). Five participants without OSMF formed the negative control group. The positive control group comprised of five patients of diagnosed cases of squamous cell carcinoma. All the sections of biopsy were subjected for hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry staining and observed for expression of Ki-67. Epithelial thickness was evaluated using image analysis software of Leica research microscope. Images were analyzed by three independent observers who were blindfolded. All the findings were tabulated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In the present study, as the functional staging increased, the Ki-67 expression also increased. Ki-67 expression was highest in severe functional staging/severely decreased mouth opening (100.78) and is least in mild functional staging/mild decreased mouth opening (10.39). However, there was no significant correlation between epithelial thickness and functional staging/mouth opening (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A decrease in functional staging (mouth opening) showed a greater expression of Ki-67, and there was no significant correlation between functional staging and epithelial thickness.