Diagnostic Potential of Salivary Biomarker Profiles in Epidemiological Survey of Periodontitis

Abstract

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of salivary biomarker profiles in determining the prevalence of periodontitis in the adult population using the case definition for population-based surveillance of periodontitis (CDC/AAP) criteria. 
 Methods: Eighty subjects with healthy periodontium, mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis were recruited (20 in each group) using CDC/AAP criteria. Clinical parameters of probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding index (BI) were recorded. Salivary samples were analyzed to determine levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and total protein (TP). ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare clinical and salivary parameters. Multinomial regression analysis was used to identify each examined group.
 Results: Clinical parameters were significantly higher in periodontitis groups compared to the healthy group (p< 0.0001) except in PPD and PI. Both MMP8 and IL-1β were significantly higher in the moderate and severe periodontitis groups compared to the healthy group. No statistically significant differences in TP levels were found between examined groups (p=0.9). Multinomial regression analysis showed that the combination of MMP8, IL-1β, and age could accurately identify health, mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis groups with the certainty of 90%, 65%, 60%, 70%, respectively.
 Conclusions: This study suggests that age, salivary MMP8, and IL-1β levels offer a way to determine the prevalence of periodontitis using CDC/AAP criteria.