Assessment of Cytological Changes of Oral Mucosa in the Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to investigate cytological changes of oral mucosa in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 patients with GERD and 25 healthy persons underwent buccal mucosa brush biopsy for cytological assessment. The observed cellular changes were categorized(14) as Class I: normal; Class II: atypical; Class III: intermediate; Class IV:suggestive of cancer; Class V: positive for cancer. Results: All 50 participants (mean age 39.9 +/- 11.8, 24 male) completed the study and were included in statistical analysis. Ordinal logistic regression (overall model test p<0.001) showed GERD was a significant predicator for cytological changes of the oral mucosa (p<0.001). Age and gender were not significant predicators (p>0.05). Conclusion: GERD is associated with cellular alterations in the buccal mucosa, which can be detected by cytology. The most common outcomes were nuclear hyperchromatism and grade II cellular changes.