Cytomorphometry as a Diagnostic Tool for Assessing the Altered Nature of Exfoliated Buccal Mucosal Cells in Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To study the cytomorphometric analysis of cells in the cytologic smears from buccal mucosal cells of diabetic and hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: Smears were collected from clinically normal mucosa of 30 diabetes and 30 hypertensive patients and 30 healthy controls. Smears were stained using papanicolauo method. Cell diameter, nuclear diameter, cell area, nuclear area and nuclear cytoplasmic ratio was obtained for each patient.Results: Compared to normal it was found that there were significant changes in diameter of cells (P<0.01), nucleus diameter (P<0.01), cell area(P<0.01) and nuclear area (P<0.001) in diabetes patients but not in hypertensive patients (P>0.01). Conclusion: Diabetes produces definite cytomorphometric changes in buccal mucosal cells. This research area is worthy for further exploration for public health implications.