Aggravated Dental and Periodontal Status in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Its Association with Serum Ferritin

The present study aimed to evaluate the possible consequences of sickle cell disease (SCD) on dental and periodontal health in middle-aged patients and to examine the association of certain cardiovascular parameters and serum ferritin with the dental and periodontal status. Thirty-seven patients (mean age 43.2 years old) with SCD and 30 non-SCD and otherwise healthy individuals (mean age 38.9 years old) were examined for caries experience and periodontal status in addition to cardiovascular characteristics and ferritin level in serum. Compared to controls, SCD patients exhibited higher plaque and gingival bleeding scores, higher prevalence of periodontal diseases, and higher caries experience. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that caries experience was predominantly determined by the presence of SCD and the age, while major determinants of periodontitis were the ferritin levels and the male gender. The results reveal an aggravation of oral health in SCD patients regarding both caries and periodontal diseases. A potential role of the increased central inflammatory response, reflected by the elevated ferritin level in serum, is suggested for the impaired periodontal health of SCD patients. Compliance with precautionary dental checks and early management of dental complications is of great importance in order to improve oral health status and prevent general health complications in SCD patients.