A comparative study of oral epithelium in tobacco and alcohol consumers in central rajasthan population

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Aim: The study was conducted to observe the impact of tobacco and alcohol on the nuclear changes in oral epithelial cells in 800 subjects ranging from 20 to 70 years in age. Methods: The nuclear aberrations such as multinucleation, binucleation, condensed chromatin, pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis in Papanicolaou stained buccal smears of the patients attending OPD at ENT, Gastroenterology, TB & Chest Disease, Medicine, Surgery and Radiotherapy departments, JLN Medical College and attached hospitals, Ajmer, were evaluated. Results: The consumption of the tobacco and alcohol was observed to be relatively high among poor income group and subjects educated up to 8th grade. A highly significant (p<0.001) increased frequency of nuclear changes was observed in relation to the all habit groups. The most common nuclear pathology seen was karyolysis in all groups and the least common observed was the condensed chromatin. Conclusion: Microscopically examined nuclear changes are a useful tool in early diagnosis of the oral carcinoma.