Comparative Evaluation of Serum Levels of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, and ESR in Chronic Periodontitis Among Smokers, Gutkha Chewers, and Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between periodontal disease severity, cigarette smoking, gutka chewing, and type 2 diabetes mellitus by estimating, correlating, and comparing blood levels of vitamin B12, folic acid, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with chronic periodontitis. A cross-sectional research study conducted at Rama Dental College Hospital and Research Centre in Kanpur involved 240 patients with chronic periodontitis, who also exhibited additional risk factors including smoking, gutkha chewing, and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Divided into four groups of 60 individuals each, the study aimed to estimate and correlate blood levels of vitamin B12, folic acid, and ESR. Group I served as the control with chronic periodontitis patients, while Group II comprised chronic periodontitis patients who were smokers, Group III included those who chewed gutkha, and Group IV consisted of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical parameters were assessed, and patients were followed up to track any changes or correlations. This research confirmed that low levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid are linked to inflammatory diseases such chronic periodontitis. The study revealed that type-2 diabetic and gutka chewer groups exhibited statistically higher periodontal disease severity, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiencies and elevated ESR compared to smokers and control groups.