Correlations between different plaque indexes and bleeding on probing: A concurrent validity study.

Background: It is stated that plaque indexes emphasizing interproximal areas or gingival margins are important when periodontal inflammation is the main focus. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the concurrent validity between the following indexes: Greene & Vermillion (GV), Quigley & Hein modified by Turesky (QHT), Silness & Löe (SL), Ainamo & Bay (AB), O'Leary (OL), Deinzer (DZ), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Material and Methods: A sample comprising 183 individuals underwent complete periodontal examination and were divided according their periodontal status. BOP was expressed in percentages of affected sites for the entire mouth and for lingual, buccal and interproximal surfaces. Spearman correlations were calculated for each index and BOP at each area. Results: Overall, correlations were moderate between all indexes and BOP at all areas, except for the OL index that showed weak correlations. The concurrent validity increased for the gingival health group, reaching strong correlations between the AB, GV, DZ indexes and BOP at the entire mouth. In the gingivitis and periodontitis groups, the concurrent validity decreased, with most correlations reaching weak or non-significant values. Conclusions: In cross-sectional evaluations, the GV, QHT, SL, AB and DZ indexes showed good validity concurrent with BOP, regardless of their specific characteristics. Key words:Bleeding on probing, concurrent validity, correlation study, periodontal diseases, dental plaque index.

Nonsurgical periodontal therapy decreases the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and the plasmatic and salivary levels of RANKL and Survivin: a short-term clinical study.

AIM: To investigate the influence of nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on clinical periodontal status, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity, and plasmatic and salivary levels of biomarkers through a controlled clinical trial on individuals with RA and periodontitis (PE). METHODS: Sixty-six individuals from a convenience sample were considered eligible and consecutively allocated in 3 groups: (1) individuals without PE and RA (-PE-RA, n = 19); (2) individuals without PE and with RA (-PE+RA, n = 23), and (3) individuals with PE and RA (+PE+RA, n = 24). Full-mouth periodontal clinical examinations, Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) evaluations, and analysis in plasma and saliva of RANKL, OPG, RANKL/OPG, and Survivin were performed at baseline (T1) and 45 days after NSPT (T2). RESULTS: NSPT in the +PE+RA group was very effective to improve periodontal condition. At T2, significant reductions in DAS-28 were observed in +PE+RA (p = 0.011). Significantly higher levels of Survivin and RANKL were observed in saliva and plasma from RA individuals (with and without PE) compared to controls. Additionally, Survivin e RANKL demonstrated positive correlations with DAS-28 and an expressively significant reduction in +PE+RA at T2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NSPT was effective on improving both the periodontal and the RA clinical status and reducing the concentration of Survivin and RANKL in saliva and plasma. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nonsurgical periodontal treatment was effective on reducing the concentration of Survivin and RANKL and on improving both the periodontal and the RA clinical status of affected individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) protocol #RBR-8g2bc8 ( http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8g2bc8/ ).

Rheumatoid arthritis associated with the occurrence, severity and extension of periodontitis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence pointed to a potential association between periodontitis (PE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on shared characteristics and similarities in risk factors, immunogenetics and pathways of tissue destruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association between RA and PE, as well as the influence of risk variables in this association. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present case-control study comprised 471 individuals (157 cases with RA and 314 controls) that underwent a full-mouth periodontal examination. The association between risk variables and the occurrence of AR and PE were evaluated through univariate and multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS: Higher frequency (p<0.001), severity (p=0.006) and extension (p=0.018) of PE was observed among the cases when compared to controls. Variables retained in the final multivariate models for the occurrence of PE were: lower number of teeth, smoking, no use of dental floss, ≥4 daily toothbrushing and RA; for the occurrence of RA were: higher age, female gender, smoking, alcohol use and PE. It is important to stress that RA (OR=2.53; 95%CI 1.24-3.86; p<0.001) was retained in the model for PE, and PE (OR=3.12; 95%CI 1.47-4.26; p<0.001) was retained in the model for RA. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a high frequency of PE among individuals with RA and an important association among the occurrence, severity and extension of PE and RA and smoking. Key words:Case-control study, risk factors, periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Are neutrophil extracellular traps the link for the cross-talk between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis physiopathology?

OBJECTIVES: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it remains poorly understood whether NETs participate in the cross-talk between periodontitis and RA. Herein, we investigated the production of NETs in individuals with periodontitis and RA and its association with clinical parameters. The impact of periodontal therapy on RA and NET release was also assessed. METHODS: The concentration of NETs and cytokines was determined in the saliva and plasma of individuals with early RA (n = 24), established RA (n = 64) and individuals without RA (n = 76). The influence of periodontitis on the production of NETs and cytokines was also evaluated. RESULTS: Individuals with early RA had a higher concentration of NETs in saliva and plasma than individuals with established RA or without RA. Periodontitis resulted in an increase in the concentration of NETs of groups of individuals without RA and with early RA. The proportion of individuals with high concentrations of IL-6, IL-10 and GM-CSF was higher among individuals with periodontitis than among individuals without periodontitis. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17/IL-25 and IL-28A were particularly high in individuals with early RA. Worse periodontal clinical parameters, RA onset and RA activity were significantly associated with circulating NETs. Periodontal therapy was associated with a reduction in the concentration of NETs and inflammatory cytokines and amelioration in periodontitis and RA. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that NETs are a possible link between periodontitis and RA, with periodontal therapy resulting in a dramatic switch in circulating NET levels.

Association Between Sense of Coherence and Periodontal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between sense of coherence (SOC) and periodontal outcomes. Electronic searches were performed in 6 databases. Seventeen studies that evaluated the association between SOC and periodontal outcomes were included. The included studies demonstrated that individuals with a stronger SOC were more likely to present improved periodontal outcomes. The meta-analysis showed that individuals with a lower SOC were 3.31 times more likely to present bleeding on probing. Sons/daughters of mothers with a lower SOC were 3.22 times more likely to present gingival bleeding. Individuals with a stronger SOC have better periodontal health.

Periodontitis and Endothelial Dysfunction: Periodontal Clinical Parameters and Levels of Salivary Markers Interleukin-1ß, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-2 Complex, and Nitric Oxide.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis has been associated with a greater risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD). Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a parameter of early ACD, and its association with periodontitis has rarely been investigated to date. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between periodontitis and ED by means of periodontal clinical parameters and salivary markers interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nitric oxide (NO), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 complex. METHODS: Forty-seven individuals were divided into two groups: 1) 24 individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP); and 2) 23 individuals without CP. Periodontal examinations of bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were performed. ED was evaluated by means of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Salivary concentrations of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NO determination was based on the reaction of Griess. RESULTS: Individuals with CP presented higher occurrence of ED than individuals without CP (P = 0.03 after reactive hyperemia; P = 0.05 after sublingual nitrate). A significant association among the production of MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex with the presence of CP (P = 0.008) and periodontal parameters PD, CAL, and BOP was identified. Concentration of salivary markers IL-1ß, TNF-α, and NO was similar in individuals with and without CP. A significant positive correlation between NO and ED was also identified. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis was positively associated with ED, expressed by a smaller percentage of FMD of the brachial artery and higher salivary levels of MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex. Additionally, salivary levels of NO were significantly associated with better functioning of the vascular endothelium.

Disfunção endotelial e periodontite ­ predição de risco para eventos cardiovasculares / Periodontitis and endothelial dysfunction ­ risk prediction for cardiovascular events

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre a associação entre a disfunção endotelial, diagnosticada no exame de dilatação mediada por fluxo (DMF) da artéria braquial, e a periodontite crônica. Algumas evidências demonstraram uma associação entre as infecções periodontais e a disfunção endotelial. Alterações na função endotelial estão intimamente relacionadas com a aterosclerose, bem como seus fatores de risco, e constituem uma etapa intermediária na progressão de eventos adversos ao longo da história natural da doença cardiovascular, sendo esta uma das maiores causas de morte no mundo. A busca por artigos foi realizada no site Pubmed com as palavras-chave: periodontite, periodontite crônica, endotélio vascular, enfartos, derrames e doenças cardiovasculares. Após a busca, nove artigos foram selecionados para entrar nesta revisão. Os resultados dos estudos mostraram que indivíduos com periodontite apresentam a função endotelial prejudicada, quando comparados a indivíduos sem periodontite, e o tratamento da doença periodontal melhora a disfunção endotelial. Concluiu-se que a periodontite (DP) parece influenciar na função endotelial, e o seu tratamento pode melhorar a disfunção endotelial, um preditor de eventos cardiovasculares.

The aim of this study is to conduct a literature review on the association between endothelial dysfunction diagnosed on examination of flow-mediated dilatation (DMF) and chronic periodontitis. Some evidence shows an association between periodontal infections and endothelial dysfunction. Changes in endothelial function are closely related to atherosclerosis and its risk factors and is an intermediary step in the progression of adverse events throughout the natural history of cardiovascular disease, which is one of the largest causes of death worldwide. The electronic search was performed on Pubmed with the following key words: periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, vascular endothelium, heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular diseases; overall, 9 articles were selected. The results of the studies showed that individuals with periodontitis have impaired endothelial function when compared to patients without periodontitis and the treatment of periodontal disease improves endothelial dysfunction. It was concluded that periodontal disease (PD) appears to influence on endothelial function and the treatment of periodontitis could improve endothelial dysfunction is a predictor of cardiovascular events.

Imunomodulação do hospedeiro com dose subantimicrobiana de doxiciclina no tratamento coadjuvante da periodontite crônica – revisão da literatura / Host Immunomodulation with Subantimicrobial Dose Doxycycline as Adjunctive Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis – Literature Review

A Terapia de Modulação do Hospedeiro (TMH) com dose subantimicrobiana de Doxiciclina (DSD) tem o objetivo de complementar o tratamento periodontal convencional atuando na diminuição dos processos destrutivos da resposta imunoinflamatória e no aumento dos processos protetivos e regenerativos. O objetivo desta revisão da literatura é descrever os principais aspectos da TMH e avaliar, sob o ponto de vista clínico, a eficácia da DSD como tratamento coadjuvante à terapia periodontal convencional em pacientes portadores de periodontite crônica. Para tanto, foram realizadas buscas na base de dados PubMed e foram incluídos artigos indexados a partir do ano 2000 que abordavam o tema proposto. Para avaliação da eficácia clínica foram selecionados 6 estudos clínicos duplo-cegos, randomizados, placebo-controlados, com grupos paralelos, em pacientes com periodontite crônica e sem condições sistêmicas que pudessem influenciar o curso da doença periodontal. Os estudos clínicos selecionados mostraram uma capacidade superior da TMH com DSD na melhoria dos parâmetros clínicos e dos marcadores biológicos da periodontite quando comparados com o tratamento convencional sozinho

The Host Modulation Therapy (HMT) with subantimicrobial dose Doxycycline (SDD) is intended to complement the conventional periodontal treatment acting on reducing destructive processes of the immunoinflammatory response and increasing protective and regenerative processes. The purpose of this review is to describe the main aspects of HMT and evaluate, from a clinical point of view, the efficacy of SDDas an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis. For this purpose, searches were conducted in PubMed database and articles indexed from 2000 that addressed the proposed theme were included. To evaluate the clinical efficacy, 6 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial sin patients with chronic periodontitis and without systemic conditions that could influence the course of the periodontal disease, were selected. The selected clinical studies showed a superior ability of HMT with SDD in improving clinical parameters and biological markers of periodontitis when compared to conventional treatment alone.