Evaluation of the relationship between periodontitis and anemia of chronic disease - A comparative study in smokers and smokeless tobacco users.

BACKGROUND

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is the cytokine-mediated outcome of chronic inflammatory disorders. The present study was conducted to assess the hematological parameters in tobacco-associated periodontitis patients.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study included 120 males, aged 35-65 years. Out of total cases, 90 had periodontitis, and they were subdivided into Group I (n = 30): tobacco smoker (s), Group II (n = 30): tobacco chewer (s), Group III (n = 30): tobacco chewer (s) and smoker (s), and Group IV or control (n = 30): subjects without periodontitis and tobacco habits. After clinical examination, periodontitis was assessed using plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PD), gingival index (GI), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Blood investigations, including hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), erythrocyte count, MCH concentration (MCHC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), packed cell volume, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), were also done.

RESULTS

Group III revealed the highest red blood cell (RBC) count, MCHC, hematocrit, MCH, TIBC, and transferrin saturation. A significant (P < 0.05) relation was found between study groups and controls in relation to RBC, ESR, serum ferritin, TIBC, and transferrin saturation. PI and PD scores were highest in Group III; GI and CAL scores were highest in Groups I and II, respectively. All periodontal parameters of the study groups were found significantly (P < 0.05) different from controls, except for the GI score in Groups II and III.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that periodontitis should be considered as the causative factor for ACD. Thus, it is required to counsel patients regarding tobacco cessation for the effective management of periodontal diseases and controlling ACD.