Biochemical Analysis of Three Biological Fluids and its Response to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Pre and Postmenopausal Women with Periodontitis

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. The stages of menopause also worsen inflammatory condition. Biomarkers from biological fluids can be used as a diagnostic indicator to correlate these two conditions of present and future disease activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neopterin levels in three biological fluids obtained from pre- and postmenopausal women with periodontitis following non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT, that is, scaling). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional interventional study. Thirty women, aged 40–60 years, with periodontitis were selected according to their menstrual history. They were divided into the pre- and postmenopausal groups, with each group including 15 participants. The neopterin levels were measured in both groups at baseline and 3 months after NSPT. Intergroup comparison and percentage decrement analysis were performed using the independent sample t test, and intragroup comparison was performed using the paired t test. RESULTS: There were statistically significant reductions in the mean values of saliva, urine, and plasma from baseline to 3 months after NSPT in the groups. Intergroup comparison showed no significant values in the postmenopausal group, and a significant reduction was seen in the mean values was seen in the mean values. CONCLUSIONS: Neopterin levels decreased at 3 months after NSPT in both the groups, suggesting that NSPT can be a gold standard therapy and that the neopterin level could be a indicator to identify periodontal destruction.