Diagnostic Accuracy of Salivary Periodontal Biomarkers Is Reduced in Patients With Crohn's Disease

Materials and methods: Stimulated saliva samples were collected from 35 patients with CD and 35 systemically healthy, matched controls, followed by a comprehensive periodontal examination. Salivary concentrations of total MMP‐8 (tMMP‐8), MMP‐9, and PMN elastase were quantified using ELISA. 

Results: In the control group, periodontal status significantly influenced the levels of all studied biomarkers, with significant differences observed in PMN elastase (p = 0.012), MMP‐9 (p = 0.003), and tMMP‐8 (p < 0.001). In contrast, within the CD group, only MMP‐9 levels showed significant variation across periodontal categories (p = 0.011). Intergroup comparisons revealed that among periodontally healthy individuals, those with CD had significantly higher salivary PMN elastase (p = 0.039) and MMP‐9 (p = 0.005) concentrations than controls. Furthermore, CD patients with gingivitis exhibited significantly higher tMMP‐8 levels (p = 0.035$) compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the CD and control groups among patients with periodontitis for any of the biomarkers (p ≥ 0.246). 

Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy of salivary tMMP‐8 and PMN elastase was reduced in CD patients, likely reflecting altered neutrophil degranulation dynamics. Salivary MMP‐9 may serve as a promising biomarker linking oral and intestinal inflammatory activity.