RESUMEN
CONTEXT: Chronic periodontitis patients exhibit elevations in serum concentrations of c-reactive protein (CRP). Also, periodontitis can potentially contribute to reduced haemoglobin (Hb) levels leading to anaemia of chronic disease (ACD). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether disease severity affect CRP and Hb levels in patients with chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on periodontitis severity, three groups of 50 subjects each were selected, who underwent screening for gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Blood samples were taken to estimate the number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), packed cell volume (PCV), Hb concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). RESULTS: Mean hs-CRP levels of 0.796, 2.238, 2.886 were found in mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis groups respectively with significant intergroup differences. The differences in haematological parameters other than MCV were not significant between groups. CONCLUSION: The possible systemic effects of periodontitis might be influenced by its severity, as evidenced by a corresponding change in the levels of systemic inflammatory markers like CRP.