Gender-based cytomorphometric analysis of buccal exfoliated cells in a South Indian population.

Abstract

To assess differences based on gender in nuclear area (NA), cytoplasmic area (CA), and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N:C ratio) values for clinically normal buccal smears in apparently healthy subjects of a South Indian population, thereby providing definitive baseline cytomorphometric measurements for the South Indian population. Buccal smears were collected from 60 healthy subjects (30 males and 30 females) of a South Indian population above 18 years in age. Values of the NA and CA were measured, and the N:C ratio calculated, using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis of the data with independent t tests and 95% confidence intervals was done using SPSS version 21 (significance set at P < 0.05). The results showed that there were significant differences in the NA, CA, and N:C values between males and females irrespective of age (P = 0.01). Definitive gender-specific baseline cytomorphometric data can be established using exfoliative cytology for the South Indian population, and this may be helpful in deciphering the occurrence of oral pre-malignant diseases and oral squamous cell carcinoma in this population, as the incidence of these conditions varies with gender and different ethnic groups.