Comparative evaluation of hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and differential leukocyte count: Anemia in gingivitis and periodontitis patients in Kerala population – A cross-sectional study

Background: Anemia is defined as the deficiency in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood either due to reduced hemoglobin %(Hb%) or reduced Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC) count. currently the association of anemia in periodontitis patients and the possible etiology cited for decreased blood counts was the downregulation of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow by proinflammatory cytokines released due to periodontal disease. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the relation between anemia and periodontitis by estimation of blood parameters and to assess whether periodontitis like other inflammatory conditions can lead to anemia. It is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 subjects who visited the Department of periodontics, Mahe Institute of dental science and hospitals was included in the study and divided into three groups. A total of 10 healthy controls, 10 chronic generalized gingivitis, and 10 chronic generalized periodontitis patients were selected among the Kerala population. Hemoglobin levels (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Differential leukocyte count, gingival index, OHIS index, and probing depth were recorded. Results: The results revealed a decrease in Hb and erythrocyte counts and an increase in white blood corpuscle counts in chronic generalized periodontitis compared to healthy controls and chronic generalized gingivitis group. Conclusions: The treatment of periodontitis can improve hematocrit and other related blood parameters in chronic generalized periodontitis patients with anemia. This provides evidence that periodontitis like other chronic diseases may also cause anemia.