Detection of Cytological Alterations in Oral Mucosa among Female Cigarette Smokers

Background: Smoking is a major cause of cytological changes in the oral mucosa. We evaluated the cytological changes in the oral mucosa of female cigarette smokers, using Papanicolaou staining. Materials and methods: Oral smears were collected from 100female volunteers; 50 were cigarette smokers, and another 50 were treated as a control group. The smokers included in this study had been continuously exposed for more than 2 years. Smears were stained using the Papanicolaou technique. Results: Some cytological changes were detected among both cases and controls: atypia (1.0%, 0%, respectively), keratinization (0.2%, 0%, respectively), inflammation (20%, 9.8%, respectively), and bacterial infection (6%, 2%, respectively). Conclusion: The results showed higher percentages of cytological changes among female cigarette smokers users compared with nonusers; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The degree of change depends on the duration of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.