Evaluating the association between gingival crevicular blood glucose levels and finger capillary blood glucose levels according to periodontal status.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between gingival crevicular blood glucose levels (GCBG) and finger capillary blood glucose levels (FCBG) according to the periodontal status of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 80 patients were divided into 4 groups according to their periodontal status. In these patients, an area of the maxillary gingiva with the highest probing depth was selected for blood sampling. Blood glucose obtained from this area and the right fingertip was measured with a glucometer. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient with a significance threshold of 0.05. RESULTS: The groups studied were matched in regard to their sex and age (P > 0.05). The average FCBG and GCBG were not significantly different according to periodontal status (P > 0.05). The correlation between the FCBG and the GCBG showed a significant positive correlation in the total number of participants (P < 0.05, r = 0.531). CONCLUSION: The study observed a positive association between GCBG and FCBG. However, the relationship with periodontal status appeared to be relatively weak. Further research may be needed to determine the potential efficacy of GCBG in diabetes screening during periodontal examinations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Most patients with diabetes do not have proper periodontal health, so it may be helpful to screen for diabetes during periodontal examinations.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Salivary Biomarkers including Lactate Dehydrogenase and Hemoglobin A1c for Screening Chronic Periodontitis.

Aims: Periodontitis is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans involving the tooth-supporting tissue. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare salivary biomarkers, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), between patients with severe chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals. Methods: This study was performed on 29 patients with severe chronic periodontitis and 30 healthy individuals at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran, in 2021. Salivary samples were taken, and clinical parameters, including the clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD), were measured. Besides, the levels of LDH and HbA1c were measured using ELISA kits. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of HbA1c and LDH were examined for chronic periodontitis diagnosis. Results: Based on the present results, the levels of LDH and HbA1C did not show adequate sensitivity or specificity for screening chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: According to the present findings, salivary biomarkers, including LDH and HbA1c, cannot be used with certainty for screening chronic periodontitis.

The effect of Phase 1 periodontal treatment on the salivary RANKL/OPG ratio in severe chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: RANKL and OPG play an important role in bone resorption. The R A N K L O P G ratio increases in periodontal disease. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Phase 1 periodontal treatment on the salivary R A N K L O P G ratio in patients with severe chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Saliva samples were collected from 13 patients with severe chronic periodontitis and 14 healthy controls at baseline and then four weeks after the treatment using unstimulated spitting. The salivary levels of RANKL, OPG and R A N K L O P G ratio were investigated using the ELISA method. RESULTS: The findings of this study showed that the mean R A N K L O P G ratio was significantly higher in the patients with periodontal disease than in the healthy controls (P=0.001). Also, the R A N K L O P G ratio was significantly higher in the patients with a higher mean CAL (P=0/004). The comparison of the salivary R A N K L O P G ratio in patients with periodontal disease before and four weeks after the treatment showed a significant reduction in this value four weeks after the periodontal treatment (P=0/001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed a direct relationship between the R A N K L O P G ratio and the severity of periodontal disease. Phase 1 of periodontal treatment was found to be effective in reducing the R A N K L O P G ratio. In other words, the R A N K L O P G ratio can be a good predictor of treatment success. Further long-term studies with larger sample sizes are required for confirming these results.

The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Public Health: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases, such as periodontitis, are considered the main cause of tooth loss in the elderly.The present study is aimed to determine the relationship between periodontal condition and quality of life. Quality of life consists of a range of people's objective needs related to the self-perception of well-being. METHODS: This study was done from January 2014 to June 2015 in a healthcare clinic in Zahedan, southeast Iran. Using the random sampling method, the researchers enrolled 700 individuals over 35 years of age. The participants initially completed a demographic questionnaire consisting of data, such as age, sex, educational level, and smoking habit. Then, the periodontal chart was completed. Moreover, patients, based on the number of their natural teeth, were divided into two groups (≥10 teeth in both maxillary and mandible arches and <10 teeth in at least one arch). The body mass index (BMI) was also measured.To assess the participants' general health, the WHO's quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used. RESULTS: Of the 700 enrolled individuals, 53.3% were womenand 47.7% were men. Moreover, most of the participants (63.71%) had BMI of less than 25 and 68% did not smoke.We found that as the people's periodontal status deteriorated, their quality of life also declined and the total mean score in all four health domains decreased (P<0.001).Moreover, people with more than 10 teeth in both arches scored higher with respect to life quality than those with less than 10 teeth in at least one arch (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This studyindicates a decrease in the general quality of life in patients with periodontal disease.The authors suggest performing studies with larger sample sizes andcohort studies for more reliable results.