The Relationship Between Salivary Interleukin-1β Levels And Periodontal Health Status

Abstract

Introduction: The periodontium consists of the gingiva, periodontal ligaments, cementum and alveolar bone. Together the four components function as a unit and are the supportive structures of the teeth, maintaining their function and stability.1 Periodontal diseases are inflammatory conditions that affect these supportive structures. Background: Inflammatory Periodontal diseases are the most common oral diseases in human kind and as such it’s a serious public health issue and the second major cause of tooth loss.2 Presently the diagnosis of inflammatory periodontal diseases relies on the analysis of a range of clinical parameters. These traditional methods of diagnosis only manage to describe past events such as attachment loss and thus are not able to detect current disease activity. Consequently, there is interest in developing new diagnostic markers which provide additional clinical information over and above those obtained by clinical examination. The use of saliva as a tool for diagnosis due to the fact that majority of biomarkers found in blood or in urine are also found in saliva samples which is easier and more safe to collect. The identification of molecular biomarkers of inflammatory periodontal disease found in saliva can objectively provide a rapid and accurate tool that can diagnose and monitor disease activity and would go a long way in the management of periodontal conditions.3 Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate salivary IL-1β biomarker and how it relates to the periodontal health status of the participants. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population was patients attending the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital (UONDH) for treatment of various oral facial conditions. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire on Bio-data, socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and oral health status. The clinical examination comprised of periodontal evaluation based on the basic periodontal examination (BPE). Plaque and gingivitis were determined using Turesky modification of Quigley Hein, 1970 Index and Loe and Silness 1963 index respectively. Collection of whole saliva for analysis of salivary IL1-β levels was done through the spit method.4Whole saliva samples were used and the levels of interleukin1β were quantified using ELISA. Data analysis and presentation: Data collected was coded and analyzed using SPSS software, descriptive statistics, Independent T tests and ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation and linear

regression were used to investigate the relationship between salivary-interleukin 1β and periodontal health status. Results: 71 participants were recruited into the study. The age range of the participants was between 18-81 years. Out of the 71, 48 (67%) were females and 23(32.4%) were males. 39 (54.9%) of participants had gingivitis, 20(28.2%) had mild to moderate periodontitis and 12 (16.9%) had severe periodontitis.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................