title: Association of chronic periodontitis with white blood cell and platelet count - A Case Control Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to determine whether plasma levels of white blood corpuscles (WBCs) and platelets were altered in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 subjects, 60 with chronic periodontitis and 60 with healthy periodontium of age group 30-50 years were selected for the study. Oral hygiene status and pocket probing depth were measured. During clinical evaluation, venous blood samples were taken to analyze the WBC and platelet counts. Statistical analysis was utilized to compare differences across various groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The WBC count was higher in patients with chronic periodontitis when compared with controls whereas the platelet count was lower in the case group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated WBC count plays a key role in chronic periodontitis and in turn a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, there is no significant role of platelets in periodontal infection even though it has a major role in atherogenesis. Key words:Periodontitis, white blood cells, platelets, cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: MDS, Reader. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital. Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Balmuri P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: MDS, Post Graduate Student. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Khaitan
authors.affiliation: MDS, Professor and Head. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pachigolla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramaswamy
authors.affiliation: MDS, Senior lecturer. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pattipati
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sreenivasulu
authors.affiliation: MDS, Post Graduate Student. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ginjupally
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Uday
authors.affiliation: MDS, Post Graduate Student. Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ragha G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Velugubantla