Effects of Khat Chewing in the Oral Cavity

The term khat refers to the young leaves and shoots of the plant Catha edulis, a member of the Celastraceae plant family which is grown in Eastern Africa and the Middle East. The stimulating effect of khat is due to the presence of sympathomimetic amines with amphetamine-like properties. OBJECTIVES: To determine associations between khat consumption and oral diseases in relation to the type, amount, duration and frequency of consumption and to describe the perception of khat as a public health problem. METHODS: The study was a comparative cross sectional survey carried out in the Eastleigh area in Nairobi, Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire with both open-ended and closed questions was used together with a clinical examination form based on standard oral health indices. Participants were included on basis of informed consent. RESULTS: 72 current khat users, 10 former users and 85 individuals who had never used khat (total 167) participated in this study. The DMFT (± S.E) for current chewers, non-chewers and former chewers were: 8.778 ± 1.1563, 6.5294 ± 0.7411 and 7.000 ± 1.7385 respectively. DMFT scores were higher in current khat chewers with associated cariogenic habits. Periodontal status was better in khat chewers, but more khat chewers suffered from halitosis. Mucosal lesions including glossitis, candidiasis and hyperkeratosis were comparatively rare (<1%) among khat users. CONCLUSIONS: General awareness on potential adverse oral and systemic effects of khat was poor. Caries experience and mucosal lesions were strongly correlated with chronic khat use and associated habits such as consumption of cariogenic diet and concurrent use of tobacco.