Promising Role of Exfoliative Cytology in the Evaluation of Glycaemic Status of Type II Diabetics: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

The degree of metabolic control in diabetes mellitus influences the susceptibility of patients to oral diseases. It is mandatory to regularly monitor glycaemic status, however invasive methods may be contraindicated or intolerable to diabetic individuals. Thus, cytology, being a simple, non-invasive and rapid procedure, is a promising protocol for assessing diabetic status and assisting in management. To assess the number of PAS positive glycogen containing cells and associated cellular changes in buccal smears of type II diabetics and correlate the findings with their serum glucose levels. The study was conducted at the out patient Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, KLES Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. Fifty known cases of type II diabetes mellitus and 50 healthy individuals were included in the study. Fasting blood glucose levels were estimated and buccal smears stained with Periodic Acid Schiff stain. The observed cellular changes were correlated with the glycaemic status of each patient. Statistical evaluations such as Student's t test (P<0.01-very significant; P<0.001-highly significant), correlation-coefficient and probability values were computed. Smears of diabetic patients depicted an increase in the number of PAS positive cells in significant correlation to their glycaemic status. Cellular and nuclear morphological alterations were also found in squames of diabetic individuals. Cytological findings and clinical observations, suggest a correlation between the extent of these changes and clinical parameters like glycaemic control. Further studies in this aspect can help in improving the reliability of oral cytology as a diagnostic tool in diabetes.