A multi-center clinical trial of a new chairside test in distinguishing between diseased and healthy periodontal sites. II. Association between site type and test outcome before and after therapy.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the outcome of a chairside test measuring gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and other clinical measures of disease including probing depth, severity of inflammation, and GCF flow before and after therapy. We studied 91 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis. Eight sites with probing depths between 5 mm and 8 mm and obvious signs of inflammation were selected and designated diseased sites. Four sites with probing depth < or = 3 mm with no or minimal signs of inflammation were selected and designated non-diseased sites in patients. Thirty healthy individuals were enrolled and four sites in each were selected and designated healthy controls. Patients were treated with scaling and root planing and control subjects with supragingival prophylaxis. Measurements including GCF volume, gingival inflammation, and probing depth were performed at screening baseline, 1 week later at pretreatment baseline, and at weeks 2 and 4 after treatment. AST content of GCF was measured using a chairside colorometric test. It was concluded that the outcome of the test is an effective objective measure distinguishing between diseased sites and non-diseased sites in patients and control subjects when evaluated both prior to and following application of therapy. Use of this simple chairside test, when combined with other standard diagnostic procedures, provides an objective measurement permitting improved capacity to distinguish between diseased and non-diseased periodontal sites, and to better assess and monitor the outcome of therapy.
Magnusson
I
I
Periodontal Research Center, School of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Persson
R G
RG
Page
R C
RC
DeRouen
T A
TA
Crawford
J M
JM
Cohen
R L
RL
Chambers
D A
DA
Alves
M E
ME
Clark
W B
WB
D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000032:analysis*; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D012534:Dental Scaling; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases