title: Exfoliative cytology of oral mucosa among smokers, opium addicts and non-smokers: a cytomorphometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was conducted to evaluate keratinization as well as nuclear and cytoplasmic changes of oral epithelial cells among smokers, opium addicts and non-smokers through exfoliative cytology technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Smears of buccal mucosa and mouth floor were collected from 300 males (100 smokers, 100 opium addicts and 100 non-smokers). The nucleus and cytoplasm sizes were determined using image analysis software. Data was analyzed with Mann-Whitney test and Student's t-test on SPSS version 13 statistical software. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed statistically significant differences in cellular and nuclear size and the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio between smokers, opium addicts and non-smokers in different age groups. The mean size of the nucleus compared to that of cytoplasm was significantly higher in smokers and opium addicts compared to non-smokers after correction for age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate different rates of epithelial cell keratinization in oral cavity among smokers, opium addicts and non-smokers. Also, our results suggest a possible relationship between the number of cigarettes per day, daily opium consumption and an increase in the rate of cellular proliferation of oral mucosal cells. The present study indicated a decrease in cellular diameter as well as an increase in nuclear diameter and nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio in smears taken from both smokers and opium addicts compared to non-smokers.
authors: 1)Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 2)Kerman Dental and Oral Diseases Research Center, Kerman, Iran.m_s_hahemipour@yahoo.com.
authors: Maryam Alsadat
authors: MA
authors: Hashemipour
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Mahbobeh
authors: M
authors: Aghababaie
authors: Department of Pathology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Toraj Reza
authors: TR
authors: Mirshekari
authors: 3)Department of Pathology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 4)Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Asadi-Shekaari
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Mehrnaz
authors: M
authors: Tahmasbi-Arashlow
authors: Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Farzad
authors: F
authors: Tahmasbi-Arashlow
authors: Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Sayed Amir Hossein
authors: SA
authors: Gandjalikhan Nassab
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D009892:Opium; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D009892:Opium