Cytologic analysis of alterations induced by Smoking and by alcohol consumption.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze cytologically the buccal mucosa of smoking and nonsmoking volunteers to determine what cellular changes are induced by cigarettes and alcohol consumption.


METHODS
In order to evaluate cellular changes induced by smoking and alcohol consumption, exfoliative cytology was used for the analysis of mucosal smears obtained from the buccal mucosa of 25 smokers and 25 nonsmokers. The number of cigarettes consumed, duration of smoking, presence or absence of alcohol ingestion, ingested alcohol dose and frequency of consumption, and most frequently used type of alcoholic beverage were determined using a questionnaire. Three smears from each individual stained by the Papanicolaou method were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively under a light microscope by 2 experienced examiners in terms of inflammatory and dysplastic alterations and of the degree of epithelial maturation.


RESULTS
Although numerous alterations were observed in smokers they corresponded up to only Papanicolaou class II and were not significantly different from nonsmokers (Mann-Whitney and chi2 tests, p < 0.05). A higher proportion of inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells) were obtained from smokers as compared to nonsmokers, while the proportion of bacteria was similar in the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that even after a short period of cigarette use and alcohol consumption, inflammatory alterations were detectable on exfoliative cytology of the buccal mucosa in a young group, demonstrating the usefulness of cytology for early detection in smokers.
Pavanello
Marcella Batista
MB
Department of Social Science and Pediatric Dentistry and of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, São José Campos Dental School, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Prado
Fernanda Almeida
FA
Balducci
Ivan
I
Brandão
Adriana Aigotti Haberbeck
AA
Almeida
Janete Dias
JD
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*