Evaluation of periodontal health among old Indian patients with glaucoma and chronic tonsillitis
Authors:   Department of Dentistry, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India, Naqvi Akbar , Qazi Jameel , Haider Khushtar ,   Department of Dentistry, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India, Ojha Sushil ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Government Doon Medical College and Associated Doon Hospital Dehradun Uttarakhand, India, Anjali A ,   Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology & Microbiology, Buddha Dental College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India, Kumar Santosh ,   Department of Dentistry, Madhubani medical College Bihar, India
Published: February 2025

Periodontitis, marked by the deterioration of the tissues bordering the surfaces of the teeth, is one of the most prevalent diseases. The presence of pathogenic bacteria, also known as "periopathogens", in the gingival sulcus region is the main cause of periodontitis. Analyzing the relationship between ocular disorders, chronic tonsillitis and periodontitis has been the subject of few investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis, glaucoma and chronic tonsillitis. This study evaluated periodontal health in glaucoma and chronic tonsillitis patients among ageing adults and the elderly population. It was a case-control study in which there was an evaluation of the correlation between periodontitis glaucoma and chronic tonsillitis. 120 clinically diagnosed cases of glaucoma and 120 clinically healthy individuals were taken as controls. 123 cases of clinically diagnosed cases of chronic tonsillitis were taken as controls. In every clinically diagnosed case, there was a thorough periodontal examination by measuring the following parameters. PI: periodontal index. CAL: Clinical attachment loss. BI: Bleeding index. There was a collection of biofilm specimens from the buccal surface of the maxillary first molar, second molar and mandibular anterior for evaluation of colonies of Streptococcus mutans. The specimens were cultured in agar plates. The CFU/ml was calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was statistically significant difference in values of PI (p<0.001) indicating poor periodontal health in glaucoma patients and chronic tonsillitis patients. There was statistically significant difference in values of BI (p<0.001), indicating increased bleeding from gums in glaucoma patients and chronic tonsillitis patients. In our study there was statistically significant difference in values of CAL indicating increased attachment loss in glaucoma patients and chronic tonsillitis patients. There was statistically significant difference in values of CFUs of Streptococcus mutans in plaque samples indicating increased CFUs of Streptococcus mutans in chronic tonsillitis and glaucoma patients. This study demonstrated the link between periodontitis glaucoma and chronic tonsillitis and offered a potential explanation. To solve this study's shortcomings, more research would be required. Examining individuals with chronic tonsillitis and glaucoma requires determining the oral cavity's state and computing dental indices, of which the periodontal index is crucial. Recommending extensive therapy for patients suffering from periodontitis, glaucoma, and chronic tonsillitis is imperative by ophthalmologists, ENT professionals and periodontists.