Correlative Assessment of Blood Parameters and Periodontal Status in Smokers- A Pilot Project

Abstract

Platelets  and leukocytes  activated  in response  to periodontal  microorganisms  during  bacteremia  can  go on  to excite other cells, enhancing the likelihood of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Reports also indicate that decrease in the number of erythrocytes may occur secondary to periodontal disease. Smoking is a known risk factor for periodontal disease by virtue of its adverse effects on the blood cells. It was therefore decided to investigate the relationship between the red blood  cel l(RBC),  white  blood  cell (WBC)  and platelet  counts  and periodontal  parameters  among  smokers  and non- smokers; to subsequently assess any implication of the systemic effects. Blood counts(RBC, WBC, platelets) for the present study were obtained from peripheral venous blood of 126 patients , both male and female aged between 18-45 years, in each group as follows: GROUP 1 :Periodontally healthy (n = 42) (non-smokers) GROUP 2: Chronic periodontitis (n = 42)( non- smokers) GROUP 3: Chronic periodontitis (n = 42) ( smokers) The clinical parameters to assess periodontitis included plaque index(PI), bleeding  index(BI)  and  Clinical  Attachment  Loss(  CAL)  and  history  of  smoking  was  elicited  based  on  amount, frequency  and  duration  of  smoking.  ANOVA  tests  followed  by  post  HOC  –Tukey  HSD  test  revealed  that  there  were significant differences between the 3 groups with respect to PI, BI and RBC counts(p<0.05). Pearson correlation test revealed a significant correlation between plaque index and platelet counts in group 1 only(p<0.05). Additionally, a significant correlation was also observed between  WBC  and platelet counts in  all three groups(p<0.05).Variations in  blood  counts in  different periodontal situations may pose a risk of systemic inflammation in smokers and non- smokers.