Dramatic recovery from severe anemia by resolution of severe periodontitis

Abstract

Periodontal infections were previously found to be associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia, and preterm low births. Individuals with gum disease have increased concentrations of circulating inflammatory markers that contribute to systemic inflammation, and periodontitis may tend towards anemia because of depressed erythropoiesis. Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is defined as anemia that occurs during infections, inflammation, neoplasia, and a wide range of diseases including renal, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases. The etiology of ACD is multifactorial, but is often under-recognized and undertreated. This article describes an unusual case of severe anemia caused by severe periodontitis in a 50-year-old woman. After extracting many hopeless teeth, resolving the periodontitis and making new dentures, a dramatic recovery from the severe anemia was obvious 4 months later, and her health-related quality of life vastly improved. All blood values returned to normal with no medication. Chronic periodontitis can be a cause of ACD. The diagnosis of ACD based on the mean size and heterogeneity of red blood cells and an iron study, such as serum iron and ferritin, is discussed.