Evaluation between Betel Quid and Pan Masala/Gutkha Habitual Chewers with OSMF

Introduction: The increasing use of pan masala/gutkha, a mix of tobacco and a less moist form of betel quid lacking the betel leaf, is associated with an earlier age of onset of oral submucous fibrosis. Hence, current study was conducted to evaluate and compare clinical, histopathological and cytological features of OSMF due to betel quid (BQ) and pan masala/gutkha chewing (PMG). Materials and methods: Patients who had habit of chewing BQ or PMG and who were suffering from OSMF were selected for the study. Buccal mucosal smears were obtained from 30 controls, BQ and PMG chewers. Incisional biopsy was done on buccal mucosa of BQ and PMG chewers. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results and observation: PMG chewing is associated with onset of OSMF at an early age than BQ chewing habit. Relatively large proportion of intermediate cells was present as compared to superficial cells of buccal mucosa in habitual chewers as compared to control. However, intermediate cells capable of proliferation were slightly higher in PMG chewers as compared to BQ chewers. On histopathological examination connective tissue hyalinization is more frequently evident amongst BQ chewers than PMG chewers. Conclusion: Habitual chewing of PMG induces OSMF more rapidly than the traditional BQ.