The oral and dental effects of q'at chewing

Hill, Chris; Gibson, Alan C.

doi:10.1016/0030-4220(87)90255-6

Cited by 77 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although all these studies suffer from small sample numbers, they consistently tend to suggest increased risks in khat consumers. Hill et al 4 reported that about 50% of the khat chewers develop keratosis of the mouth. The authors did not mention a possible association between this phenomenon and oral cancer, but results of other studies with smokers and betel chewers show that keratosis of the buccal mucosa is a pre-cancerous lesion and that 2%-12% of individuals with such lesions develop oral cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Khat (Catha edulis) consumption causes genotoxic effects in humans

Kassie

Darroudi

Kundi³

et al. 2001

Int. J. Cancer

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We used the micronucleus (MN) test to determine the genetic damage caused by khat, a widely consumed psychostimulant plant, in exfoliated cells of volunteers who chewed the drug on a regular basis. In the first study in which we compared the frequency of MN in buccal and bladder mucosa cells in 20 khat consumers (10 -160 g/day) and 10 controls, a pronounced (8-fold) increase in micronucleated buccal mucosa cells was seen among khat consumers; khat consumption did not lead to a detectable elevation of micronucleated bladder mucosa cells. Among heavy khat chewers, 81% of the MN had a centromere signal indicating that khat is aneuploidogenic. To investigate the effect of simultaneous consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, we compared the MN frequency in buccal cells of 25 khat consumers (20 -85 g/day) who smoked cigarettes (15-60/day) and drank alcoholic beverages (15-80 g of pure ethanol/day) with a control group (control group I) of 25 individuals matched for age, body weight, tobacco and alcohol consumption and with another control group of 25 individuals (control group II) not consuming any of the drugs. The frequency of buccal mucosa cells with MN was higher in control group I than in group II and the effect of khat, tobacco and alcohol was found to be additive. A time-kinetics study on khat-induced MN showed that the highest frequency of MN was observed during the fourth week after consumption. In light of the large body of evidence on the close association between genetic damage and cancer, these results suggest that khat consumption, especially when accompanied by alcohol and tobacco consumption, might be a potential cause of oral malignancy. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Key words: khat; buccal mucosa; micronuclei; aneugenThe habit of khat chewing has prevailed for centuries among populations in the horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. The leaves of Catha edulis (commonly termed as q'at or khat) contain the natural amphetamine cathinone, which has euphoric and psychostimulant effects. 1,2 Due to its widespread consumption, the production of khat has become an important economic factor. Apart from coffee, khat is the largest cash crop in Yemen and Ethiopia. 3 It has been estimated that in Somalia and Yemen up to one-third of the family income is spent on chewing khat 2 and about 80% of the adult population of these countries are consumers of khat. In Yemen, approximately US$700 million are spent on khat, and in Somalia the annual expenditure for the khat import is about US$57 million.Toxic effects of khat in humans have been studied over the last 20 years and include multiple symptoms such as euphoria, anorexia, insomnia, gastritis, hypertension and impotence. 4 In bacteria, crude khat extract caused gene mutations and cathinone and crude khat extract induced structural chromosomal aberrations 5 and MN formation 6 in bone marrow cells of mice. However, no data on the potential genotoxic effects of khat in humans are available. It is well established that genotoxic effects lead to induction of cancer...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 In bacteria, crude khat extract caused gene mutations and cathinone and crude khat extract induced structural chromosomal aberrations 5 and MN formation 6 in bone marrow cells of mice. However, no data on the potential genotoxic effects of khat in humans are available.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Khat (Catha edulis) consumption causes genotoxic effects in humans

Kassie

Darroudi

Kundi³

et al. 2001

Int. J. Cancer

123

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…6,13 There is some disagreement among the various authors as to the part played by the habit of chewing khat leaves in the development of periodontal diseases. Hill and Gibson 14 reported that the depth of periodontal pockets was significantly less on the side of the oral cavity used for chewing than on the opposite side. This applied to addicts using only one side for chewing, which appears to be the custom in the majority of these people.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma cell gingivitis apparently related to the use of khat: report of a case

Marker

Krogdahl

2002

Br Dent J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) is characterized by massive infiltration of plasma cells into the subepithelial tissue. It is a rare condition; the cause of which is still not fully understood. A case of PCG is reported in the mandibular gingiva probably caused by chewing khat. This report is the first, as far as we know, that relates PCG to the use of khat. The histological examination revealed infiltration of polyclonal plasma cells without signs of fungus, tuberculosis or malignancy. It is concluded that the changes were compatible with an allergic-like reaction. The patient, a 30-year-old immigrant from Somalia, revealed in a subsequent consultation that he regularly used khat. The leaves are placed in the buccal sulcus. The PCG disappeared within two weeks of the use of khat being discontinued. Dental surgeons (periodontists) in Europe and the New World will, due to increasing immigration from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, meet more patients who regularly use khat. This means that PCG and other khat related intraoral changes will become more common in the future.

show abstract

“…Of these, 30 were eligible for full article reading. Eleven [13,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] of the 30 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Nineteen studies were therefore found appropriate for this systematic review and meta-analysis (only eight of the 19 studies were suitable for metaanalysis) (Fig.…”

Section: Description Of the Original Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Comparison was impossible • In 1 study, [26] the outcome measured and the presentation of results were ambiguous • 1 study [27] investigated the e ect of khat extract on in vitro-reconstructed oral mucosa • 1 study [29] involved volunteers • For 1 study, [30] a full report could not be found • 1 study [31] was a duplicate of another [45] …”

Section: The Association Of Khat Chewing and Orodental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association of khat (Catha edulis) chewing and orodental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. It has been claimed that chewing khat (Catha edulis), a plant common in parts of eastern and southern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, is associated with a range of orodental problems. Objective. To provide a synthesis of the evidence on the association between khat chewing and orodental health. Method. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported on the association of khat chewing and outcomes related to orodental health identified through a systematic search using web-based electronic search engines. Results. Nineteen studies were found suitable for this review. Of these, between two and five (based on the type of outcome measured) were suitable for meta-analysis. The rest were used only for qualitative synthesis. A meta-analysis of the association of khat chewing with mucosal white lesions, gum recession, periodontal pocketing and gum bleeding showed that chewing increased the odds of the respective oral problems. However, qualitative synthesis of the findings on the effect of khat chewing on oral micro-organisms showed no evidence that the practice favours the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms in the oral cavity -instead, it seems to favour the proliferation of micro-organisms compatible with orodental health. Conclusion. Khat chewing is associated with adverse orodental health outcomes. While literature on the topic is scarce and there is a need for generation of more evidence from different countries, on the basis of the evidence accumulated to date, public health officials and health practitioners should consider khat a threat to orodental health and take appropriate action.

show abstract

The oral and dental effects of q'at chewing

Cited by 77 publications

References 5 publications

Khat (Catha edulis) consumption causes genotoxic effects in humans

Khat (Catha edulis) consumption causes genotoxic effects in humans

Plasma cell gingivitis apparently related to the use of khat: report of a case

The association of khat (Catha edulis) chewing and orodental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About