Evaluation of the effect of scaling and root planing on salivary and serum fetuin-A levels in patients with Stages II and III periodontitis.

Background: Fetuin-A has garnered recognition in the etiopathogenesis of several systemic disorders. It has been recently acknowledged as an anti-inflammatory marker for periodontal disease. This study aimed to compare and correlate salivary and serum fetuin-A levels in health and patients with stages II-III periodontitis along with evaluating the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on the same.

Methods: Group 1 comprised of 30 healthy subjects. Group 2 embodied 30 patients with stages II-III periodontitis. Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. Saliva and serum samples were assembled. Periodontitis patients received non-surgical periodontal treatment. They were recalled after 6 months, and collection of samples and recording of clinical parameters were reiterated. Fetuin-A levels were analyzed using ELISA.

Results: Salivary and serum fetuin-A levels were significantly lower in periodontitis patients when compared with the healthy subjects (P < 0.001) at baseline. Their concentrations significantly upregulated 6 months after active periodontal therapy (P < 0.001). Salivary fetuin-A levels revealed a significant positive correlation with their serum levels in Group 1 at baseline (P < 0.001). They also displayed a positive correlation in Group 2 at baseline and 6 months post periodontal therapy, nevertheless failed to establish a statistically significant association.

Conclusion(s): Our study concluded that salivary and serum fetuin-A levels diminished with increasing severity of periodontal inflammation, and NSPT remarkably improved their levels. They also displayed a significant positive correlation in health, and a non-significant, yet positive correlation in patients with periodontitis.