β‐Glucuronidase Activity in Saliva: Relationship to Clinical Periodontal Parameters

Abstract

Highly significant correlations between salivary betaG activity and mean probing depth (MPD), mean gingival index (MGI), and the number of sites with probing depth > or = 5 mm were found. When subjects were divided into tertiles based on their MPD and MGI, elevated salivary betaG activity was detected in subjects in the 2 upper tertiles. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine which of the clinical or laboratory parameters were able to identify patients with at least 4 sites with PD > or = 5 mm. Salivary betaG activity > or = 100 produced an odds ratio (OR) of 3.77. In comparison, current and former smokers had an OR of 3.15 and 2.29, respectively. CONLCUSIONS: The results suggest that a significant association exists between periodontal clinical parameters and salivary betaG activity. Due to the non-invasive and simple nature of saliva collection, this association should be studied to determine its usefulness as a screening test for periodontitis, and a means of monitoring the response to treatment.