title: Correlation of alkaline phosphatase activity to clinical parameters of inflammation in smokers suffering from chronic periodontitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current clinical periodontal diagnostic techniques emphasize the assessment of clinical and radiographic signs of periodontal diseases which can provide a measure of history of disease. Hence, new methodologies for early identification and determination of periodontal disease activity need to be explored which will eventually result in expedited treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the correlation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to clinical parameters of periodontal inflammation in smokers with chronic periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study population included 15 smoker male patients in the age group of 35-55 years suffering from moderate generalized chronic periodontitis with history of smoking present. Following parameters were evaluated at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after scaling and root planing: plaque index, bleeding index, probing pocket depth (PD), relative attachment level (RAL), and GCF ALP activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent variables for measurements over time were analyzed by using Wilcoxon signed rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant reduction in all the clinical parameters and GCF ALP activity was observed from baseline to 1 month and 3 months. A correlation was observed between change in GCF ALP activity and PD reduction as well as gain in RAL at 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study emphasizes that total ALP activity could be used as a marker for periodontal disease activity in smokers. Estimation of changes in the levels of this enzyme has a potential to aid in the detection of progression of periodontal disease and monitoring the response to periodontal therapy.
authors: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, National Dental College and Hospital, Dera Bassi, Punjab, India.
authors: Vishakha
authors: V
authors: Grover
authors: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, National Dental College and Hospital, Dera Bassi, Punjab, India.
authors: Ranjan
authors: R
authors: Malhotra
authors: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, M N DAV Dental College, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors: Anoop
authors: A
authors: Kapoor
authors: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Laxmi Bai Dental College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
authors: Rupika
authors: R
authors: Bither
authors: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Himachal Dental College, Sundernagar, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Sachdeva
keywords: Alkaline phosphatase; chronic periodontitis; gingival crevicular fluid; smoking