Periodontal disease in sickle cell disease subjects.

Various systemic diseases and conditions have been associated with an increase in periodontal disease severity. These studies indicate that host-response mechanisms influence the initiation and/or progression of inflammatory periodontal diseases. Diseases that have been associated with an increased severity of periodontal disease include various neutrophil abnormalities, Down's syndrome, diabetes, and recently, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Sickle cell disease is strongly associated with a predisposition to various infections; therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether sickle cell disease is also associated with an increase in the severity of periodontal disease. A total of 78 patients with sickle cell anemia (SS), hemoglobin SC disease (SC) or S Thalassemia were evaluated blind and compared with an appropriate control population using clinical and radiographic indices of periodontal disease severity. The results clearly indicate that, in this population of patients, sickle cell disease is not associated with increased levels of gingivitis or periodontitis.