Association between the concentration of salivary lactoferrin, smoking, and periodontal disease parameters: A randomized observational study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Saliva, a versatile biological fluid, has gained recognition as an invaluable medium for point-of-care diagnostics, offering insight into the complex dynamics of periodontal tissue inflammation. Aims: This study aimed to assess salivary lactoferrin (LF) concentration among individuals diagnosed with periodontitis (PDS) compared to a control group. Materials and Methods: A randomized, observational study enrolled 441 participants residing in Southern Sweden, aged 20 and 89 years and diagnosed with PDS. Clinical examination was performed following a standardized periodontal protocol, measuring key periodontal parameters such as plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and marginal alveolar bone level/bone loss using posterior intraoral bitewing radiographs. Stimulated saliva samples were analyzed for LF concentration using enzyme e-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation and ANOVA variance with a 95% confidence interval. Results and Discussion: We found no significant difference among the studied groups in mean salivary LF concentration (P > 0.05), whereas we observed a negative association between PI and salivary LF concentration (Pearson correlation = 0.110, P = 0.024), suggesting that increased plaque scores were associated with decreased LF level. In addition, smokers exhibited lower LF levels (P = 0.001). Notably, salivary LF concentration did not correlate with selected clinical parameters of PDS, including BI and PPD. Conclusions: These results underscore the multifaceted nature of salivary components and emphasize the need to consider various factors when evaluating the impact of PDS on saliva. Further research is imperative to validate risk factors contributing to the development of PDS and the diagnostic potential of salivary biomarkers, considering the intricate interplay between saliva and periodontal status. This study contributes valuable insight into the potential utility of saliva as a diagnostic medium.