Evaluation of morphologic and cytomorphometric changes in oral mucosa in Type II diabetes mellitus – An exfoliative cytology study

Background: It is well known that disease process of diabetes mellitus has effects on various tissues of the body. Diabetes mellitus adversely affect the morphology of oral mucosa, which may compromise tissue functions to favor the occurrence of oral infections and oral neoplasia. These effects can be studied at cellular level using oral, buccal exfoliative cytology. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the alteration in the morphology and cytomorphometry of exfoliated buccal mucosal cells of Type II diabetes using exfoliative cytology. Materials and Methods: Oral cytological smears were made from 20 Type II diabetes patients and 20 healthy individuals. The smears were stained with papanicolaou (PAP) stain. Evaluation of cells for morphologic and cytomorphometric changes were done using research microscope. Results: Specific qualitative and quantitative changes were observed in the study group. There was a strong r109elation between diabetes and cytomorphometric parameters. Conclusion: Cellular alterations (cytomorphometrical and morphological) observed in diabetic patients were related to glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Cellular alterations in oral exfoliated cells can be used as one of the investigative tool which can assist in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.