Perbandingan Jumlah dan Ukuran Sel Epitel Rongga Mulut antara Penyirih dengan Non-Penyirih Menggunakan Pewarnaan Papanicolaou Stain

Abstract

Chewing betel quid is a long-standing habit in Indonesian society that is difficult to eliminate. Betel quid consists of betel leaves, lime, areca nut, tobacco, and gambier, which can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to cellular changes in the epithelial cells of the buccal mucosa. Objective: This study compares the number of cells, nuclear diameter, cytoplasmic diameter, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio in the superficial stratum epithelium of the buccal mucosa between betel quid-chewing and non-chewing women. Method: Using a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional approach, the study involved 40 participants (20 chewers and 20 non-chewers) selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Samples were collected with a cytobrush, stained with Papanicolaou stain, and analyzed using a micrograph microscope. Result: Independent t-test results showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in epithelial cell count, nuclear diameter, cytoplasmic diameter, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio. Conclusion: Betel quid chewers had higher epithelial cell counts, nuclear diameters, and nucleus-to- cytoplasm ratios, while their cytoplasmic diameters were smaller than those of non- chewers.