Abstract
BACKGROUND: Albumin is a protein whose serum levels decrease in inflammatory conditions such as periodontal diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate changes in serum albumin levels in patients with and without periodontal diseases prior and subsequent to non-surgical periodontal treatment and its relationship with clinical parameters of periodontal disease. METHODS: Twenty patients diagnosed as having chronic periodontitis and 20 periodontally healthy subjects, referring to Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, were selected. Serum albumin levels and clinical variables of periodontal disease (probing pocket depth, gingival index, bleeding index, clinical attachment level and plaque index) were determined before treatment and three months subsequent to non-surgical periodontal treatment. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses (mean ± SD). Serum levels of albumin and clinical parameters were compared between the two groups with independent-samples t-test. Paired-samples t-test was applied to compare the variables before and after treatment in the case group. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05. RESULTS: The mean serum albumin level of chronic periodontitis patients (3.62±0.11 mg/dL) exhibited a significantly lower value compared to subjects who were periodontally healthy (4.17±0.29 mg/dL), with the serum albumin levels increasing significantly three months postoperatively (3.78±0.33 mg/dL), approaching the level in subjects who were periodontally healthy (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Decreases and increases in serum albumin levels under the effect of periodontal disease and its treatment indicated an inverse relationship between the albumin levels of serum and chronic periodontitis.