Determination of Prevalence of Periodontitis Among Sickle Cell Anemia Patients: A Cross Sectional Analytical Study

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the replacement of glutamic acid with valine in the beta chain of haemoglobin. SCA and periodontitis are both chronic inflammatory diseases that have similar underlying causes of chronic inflammation. Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of periodontitis among SCA patients. The study was conducted in department of periodontics of the dental institution. SCA patients randomly selected after screening from Mandla, district (MP). The study is a cross-sectional analytical study. A total of 1,050 participants were included and divided into three groups, each consisting of 350 individuals: those with sickle cell anemia, those with periodontitis and healthy individuals serving as controls. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index (mSBI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) were assessed. The data were analysed using ANOVA to compare periodontal parameters across the three groups. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Periodontal parameters were significantly higher in SCA patients compared to healthy individuals, though lower than in the periodontitis group (p<0.001). The study suggests an increased prevalence of periodontitis among SCA patients, indicating a possible link between the two chronic inflammatory conditions. However, further research is necessary to confirm this association and understand the underlying mechanisms. Prioritizing preventive dental care is crucial to improve the quality of life in SCA patients.