A study on cytomorphometric analysis of exfoliative buccal cells in iron deficiency anemic patients

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the quantitative changes in nuclear diameter (ND), cytoplasmic diameter (CD) and nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio (N/C) in cytological buccal smears of iron deficiency anemic patients by comparing with normal healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 40 healthy individuals and 40 iron deficiency anemic patients who were selected on clinical history, hematological investigations, and confirmed by serum ferritin levels. Exfoliative buccal smears stained with PAP stain were evaluated for cytoplasimic, nuclear diameters, and nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios (N/C) using Image Proexpress Version 6.0 image analysis system. All the parameters were statistically analyzed by using unpaired ‘t’ test. RESULTS: A significant increase is seen in the average nuclear diameter (ND) and N/C ratio of the anemic group when compared to the control group. The average cytoplasmic diameter (CD) did not show any statistical difference among the two groups. CONCLUSION: Oral exfoliative cytological techniques could possibly be a noninvasive alternative diagnostic tool for iron deficiency anemia.