A study to evaluate the correlation of serum albumin levels with chronic periodontitis.

CONTEXT: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection of the supporting tissues around the teeth. Serum albumin levels might be the practical marker of general health status. Albumin concentration is associated with nutrition and inflammation.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between periodontal health status and serum albumin levels.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

A total of 60 subjects of both genders with age range of 40-70 years were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups viz. Group I; clinically healthy subjects and Group II; patients with chronic periodontitis, that is, loss of attachment ≥5 mm. Serum albumin concentration was estimated by bromocresol green albumin method.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student's unpaired t-test.

RESULTS

The mean value of serum albumin levels for Group I was 4.815 g/dL with standard deviation (SD) of 0.127 and for Group II, the mean value of serum albumin levels was 4.219 g/dL (SD 0.174). The difference between serum albumin levels in Group I and Group II were found to be statistically significant ( P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this clinical trial suggest an inverse relationship between the serum albumin concentration and chronic periodontal disease.