Evaluation of Buccal Mucosal Cell in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: (Cytomorphometrical Study)

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, associated with disturbances in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and protein. Diabetes can cause considerable cellular changes. Objectives The Objective of this study was to detect the cytomorphometric measurements (the cytoplasmic diameter, nuclear diameter, and nucleus cytoplasm ratio) for exfoliated buccal mucosal cells of type 2 diabetic patients and healthy control subjects by use the cytological smears, and to compare these measurements in different study groups. Methods The total sample composed of 75 adult, aged 30-60 years. The study sample was divided into three groups. Group 1 was Control healthy, Group 2 was controlled diabetics with HbA1c 7.0 % and Group 3 was uncontrolled diabetics with HbA1C 7.0 %. Smears were obtained from normal buccal mucosa from each subject. The freshy obtained specimens stained with Papanicolaou technique for cytomorphometric analysis. An eyepiece micrometer was used to take mean values of ND, CyD, and N C ratio. Twenty (20) clearly defined cells were measured in each case in a step wise manner, to evade quantifying cells once more. Comparison of Nuclear Diameter (ND), Cytoplasmic Diameter (CyD) and ratio of two Diameters (N C) among three groups was performed by using ANOVA. Results The results showed that statistically significant increase in ND (P=0.001) with statistically significant decrease in CyD (P=0.001) was found in diabetic patients compared to controls. Degree of glycemic control significantly affected ND (P=0.007) and N C ratio (P=0.001). In general, as the severity of diabetes increases, ND and N C ratio rise gradually. Conclusion Diabetes produces definite cytomorphometric changes in the buccal mucosa of patients. The results suggested that nuclear diameter of buccal mucosal cells increased while cytoplasmic diameter was decrease in type 2 diabetic patients.