Background: Worldwide, patients with hemoglobin E-beta-thalassemia (Hb E/β-thalassemia) represent approximately 50 per cent of those affected with severe beta thalassemia. Sickle cell disease is a chronic disorder has been linked to hypoxia. The pathophysiology of Sickle Cell Disease is thought to result from polymerization of hemoglobin S in red blood cells (RBCs) under hypoxic conditions, which results in the occlusion of blood vessels. Aim:To evaluate the prevalence of periodontal diseases in patients with sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia. Materials and method: The study was conducted as a joint effort by the Department of Periodontics and Department of Human Physiology of the dental institution. A total of 40 patients were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups I and II. Group I comprised of beta thalassemic patients (n=20) and Group II comprised of sickle cell anemic patients (n=20) of both sex and varying age groups. After performing a thorough general examination, including their demographic data, intraoral examination was done using Plaque index given by Silness & Loe and Gingival index given by Loe & Silness. Results: In the present study, a total of 40patients were selected.  20 patients had beta thalassemia and 20 patients had sickle cell anemia. The plaque index and gingival index of the patients was calculated and mean of the patients was calculated. The mean plaque index of beta thalassemia patients was 3.89±1.23 and of Sickle cell anemia patients was 3.49±1.87. The mean gingival index of the beta thalassemia patients was 2.71±1.51 and of Sickle cell anemia patients was 2.92±1.23. On comparing the results we observed statistically significant results. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of periodontal diseases in patients with beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Thus, preventive dental care is must for thalassemic and SCD patients.
Keywords: Beta thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, periodontal disease, oral health.

Corresponding author: Dr. Arun Kumar Bose, Reader & HOD, Department of Physiology, Desh Bhagat Dental College, Punjab, India

This article may be cited as: Bose AK, Brar AS, Batra Y, Baweja PS, Baweja GK. Evaluation of the Prevalence of Periodontal Diseases in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and Beta Thalassemia.  Int J Res Health Allied Sci 2018;4(1):4-6.