Association between chronic periodontitis and hypertension in South Indian population: A cross-sectional study

AIM: The aim of this work was investigating if there is any association between chronic periodontitis and hypertension, to assess any individual relationship with Basal metabolic index (BMI) and any association with white blood cell count (WBC count) in South Indian population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study is a cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 77 patients between the age group of 30–50 years, who were included after excluding risk factors for hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Sree Balaji Dental College in the Outpatient Department of Periodontology. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded in the sitting, standing, and lying positions. The three positions were examined to assess the mean value of BP. Other data collected include sociodemographic details, diet, education status, height, weight, BMI, and WBC. The periodontal status of the subjects was assessed by the bleeding index (Ainamo and Bay) and community periodontal index by community periodontal index and treatment needs. STATISTICAL DATA: The statistical data were assessed by SPSS software version 17. RESULTS: There were 77 subjects participated in this study. However, there was an association between BMI sitting systolic BP is negative the P = 0.044, which is significant. Mean of generalized chronic periodontitis in sitting systolic BP is 118.0833 (95% confidence intervals 112.17 ± 123.99). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any statistical significance between these two variables. However, this study is a cross-sectional study further; longitudinal studies need to be done to establish the true phenomena.