Salivary and serum asprosin hormone levels in the 2018 EFP/AAP classification of periodontitis stages and body mass index status: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: A newly discovered adipokine known asprosin in serum and saliva in patients with periodontitis has not been explored. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum and saliva asprosin levels and periodontitis by grouping it according to body mass index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 65 systemically healthy patients (35 patients with periodontitis (periodontitis group), 30 periodontally healthy patients (control group)). In each patient, age, BMI, and clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL)) were evaluated. Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing the Student t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. For the significance level of the tests, p<0.05 were accepted. RESULTS: The serum and saliva were collected to assess asprosin levels. Both the serum and saliva asprosin levels were statistically significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the control group (p<0.001). Saliva and serum asprosin levels were directly proportional to the severity of the periodontal disease (p<0.05). Asprosin levels were higher in patients with a higher BMI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Asprosin levels were increased in periodontitis, and even a high BMI status apparently affected the levels of this hormone. It is thought that asprosin may be a useful biomarker in evaluating the relationship between periodontal status and BMI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Asprosin may be a useful parameter as a biomarker of periodontal disease progression. However, BMI status should be considered when evaluating asprosin levels in patients with periodontitis.

Total, free, and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with periodontitis (stage III): a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between total, free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with periodontitis diagnosis and 44 healthy participants were included in this study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein, procalcitonin, and albumin levels were measured from the serum samples obtained. Free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were calculated. Total, free, and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were compared between the healthy control and periodontitis groups. The association of total 25 (OH)D levels with periodontitis was tested through univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and free 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in the periodontitis group than in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, a significant correlation was observed between total 25-hydroxyvitamin D and periodontitis (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that there is a relationship between total, free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and periodontitis. In addition, it has been shown that the determination of free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels does not provide additional advantages in terms of the relationship between periodontitis and vitamin D. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this case-control study, we examined the relationship between total, free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D and periodontitis. We found lower total, free, and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in periodontitis patients. It was also found that vitamin D-binding protein may be an important biomarker in the identification of various forms of periodontal disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05343273.

An assessment of musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity levels in dentists: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dentistry is a physically and mentally demanding profession that involves long periods of muscle imbalance and asymmetrical postures when performing delicate procedures. This can lead to a high incidence of work-related diseases. However, physical activity may prevent or minimize the incidence of musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine the association between musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity levels in dentists practicing in Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2023 with dentists from Turkey actively practicing dentistry. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to determine dentists' physical activity levels, and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal disorders. IBM SPSS 20 software was used for statistical analysis. Data were presented as mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum, percentage, and number. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, One-Sample Chi-Square tests, and an ordinal logistic regression test were used. The statistical significance level was taken as p <  0.05. RESULTS: A total of 116 dentists (63 females 53 males) between the ages of 24 and 60 (36.37±7.32) were included in the study. Forty-eight participants had a low level of physical activity, 56 had a moderate level of physical activity (MLPA), and 12 had a high level of physical activity (HLPA). There was no significant difference between the gender (p = 0.224) and age (p = 0.469) of the participants and levels of physical activity. Musculoskeletal discomfort was reported by 93.1% (n = 108) of the participants in one or more body parts (p <  0.001) and 55.6% (n = 60) of them were female. The number of dentists with neck (p <  0.001) and shoulder (p = 0.05) problems was significantly higher. There was no significant effect of gender (p > 0.05) on musculoskeletal conditions. However, the relationship between musculoskeletal conditions and physical activity levels was inconsistent. The HLPA group reported the lowest discomfort for all body parts, except the elbows and knees (p <  0.05). The MLPA group reported higher discomfort in the neck, shoulder, upper back, wrists/hands, lower back, and knees. The group with the lowest physical activity exhibited the highest discomfort in the elbow and ankle/feet regions. CONCLUSION: This study found that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was high among dentists, many of whom reported either low or moderate physical activity levels. The results of this study may enhance dentists' understanding of work-related musculoskeletal diseases and promote their participation in physical activities.