Epithelial Dysplasia in Oral Mucosa and its Association with Betel Quid Chewing

Abstract

Objectives: Current study was performed to determine the frequency of epithelial dysplasia in pan chewers and to calculate association between the quantity and quality of pan chewing and epithelial dysplasia and its grades. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical study. Cytological smears from 300 subjects were collected. After fixation with alcohol, smears were then air dried and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin, Giemsa and Pap’s stain. The material was then examined under an optical microscope. Epithelial dysplasia was identified and graded using the method of Speight. Results: Epithelial dysplasia was observed in 57.7% of the habitual pan chewers which was significantly associated with number of pans consumed per day as well as duration of pan consumption. These were variables were positively correlated with grading of epithelial dysplasia. Conclusions: The study concludes that epithelial dysplasia was common among chronic pan chewers in Lahore city. Significant association and correlation was found between epithelial dysplasia and number of pans consumed per day as well as duration of pan consumption.