Evaluation of Blood Parameters in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis for Signs of Anemia

Background: Anemia of chronic disease is defined as anemia occurring in chronic infections and inflammatory conditions that is not caused by marrow deficiencies or other diseases and in the presence of adequate iron stores and vitamins. Periodontitis is a chronic infectious condition of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by subgingival microbial colonization in susceptible hosts. This study determines the correlation between signs of anemia and chronic periodontitis. Methods: A total of 60 systemically healthy male patients, mean age 38 years, were included in the study. Of these, 30 patients were healthy controls and 30 patients had severe periodontitis. Red blood cell parameters were evaluated from peripheral blood samples. Results: Data analysis shows that patients with chronic periodontitis had lower values of hematocrit, number of erythrocytes, and hemoglobin compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: Results of the present study show that patients suffering from chronic periodontitis have a lower number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin compared to healthy controls. Thus, based on these results it can be concluded that, like any other chronic condition, chronic periodontitis can lead to anemia. J Periodontol 2010;81:1202-1206.