title: The potential association between gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory mediators and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO), primarily preterm birth (PTB), is still controversially discussed in the literature. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review was to analyze the existing literature on the potential association between inflammatory mediators detected in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and APO.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases were searched for entries up to April 2012 and studies were selected by two independent reviewers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the eight studies included confirmed a positive association between GCF mediators, such as interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and APO. Due to the heterogeneity and variability of the available studies, no meta-analysis could be performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive association between GCF inflammatory mediator levels and APO/PTB might be present but the results need to be considered with great caution because of the heterogeneity and variability among the studies. Further studies with an adequate number of patients allowing for an appropriate analysis are warranted to definitely confirm this association.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings suggest that an association between GCF inflammatory mediator levels and APO might exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stadelmann
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alessandri
authors.forename: Sigrun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eick
authors.forename: Giovanni E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Surbek
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sculean
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators