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.