BLOOD STUDIES IN PERIODONTOCLASIA. II

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Division of Periodontia, College of Physicians and Surgeons and School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, N. Y.

Blood was analyzed and basal metabolism tests performed in 67 patients with incipient to advanced periodontoclasia, and in 32 control cases who were free from this disease (second series). Urine was analyzed to test for a possible subclinical deficiency of thiamin, riboflavin and nicotinic acid. In a previous study, 2 of the authors (B. T. and M. K.) reported on the blood chemistry of 70 patients with advanced periodontoclasia, and of 22 control cases (first series). Combining the results of both studies, significant differences between the means of the control and periodontoclasia groups were found for serum phosphatase and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In the second series significant differences between the means of the 2 groups were found for total serum protein, serum globulin, leukocyte count and basal metabolism. In the first series significant differences between the means of the groups were found for total serum protein, serum calcium and sugar. On the basis of the urinary tests, there was no evidence of a subclinical deficiency of thiamin, riboflavin or nicotinic acid in any of the subjects in either group.