Abstract
BACKGROUND: Platelets play an important role in inflammation and hemostasis. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is linked to an increase in platelet activation leading to increased risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. AIM: The aim was to evaluate whether platelet indices (mean platelet volume [MPV], platelet distribution width [PDW], and plateletcrit [PCT]) can be a biomarker for determining the severity of periodontal disease and to assess the relation between platelet indices in patients with periodontitis and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 3 groups - moderate periodontitis, severe periodontitis, and systemically healthy controls without periodontitis. Clinical parameters recorded were clinical attachment level and probing pocket depth and venous blood samples were drawn for the analysis of MPV, PDW, and PCT. RESULTS: ANOVA test with post hoc Tukey's test was used to compare among 3 groups. Statistical analysis of platelet indices was done using sample t-test. The mean values of MPV, PDW, and PCT gradually increased from normal to severe periodontitis. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory process, causes not only increase in the quantity of platelets but also causes platelet activation which leads to change in platelet size, platelet shape, and platelet aggregation. As periodontitis causing platelet activation which seems to be a contributing factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases.