Comparing the Level of Salivary Soluble CD44 in Smokers and Non-Smokers with Chronic Moderate Periodontitis before and after Treatment

Background and Smoking increases the incidence and severity of periodontal disease. Elevation in the level of salivary soluble CD44 is considered as a diagnostic marker in some smoking-induced disorders such as periodontal disease. This study evaluated the salivary soluble CD44 level in smokers and non-smokers with and without moderate chronic periodontitis, before and one month after scaling and root planning (SRP). This case-control study was done in 50 male aged 30 to 60 years attending Periodontology and Oral Medicine Departments of Babol Faculty of Dentistry, 2011-2012. The patients included 23 with moderate chronic periodontitis, 11 smokers, 12 non-smokers, and 27 patients with healthy periodontium of whom nine were smokers and 18 were non-smokers). The level of salivary soluble CD44 was assessed at baseline for all patients and one month after SRP for patients with moderate chronic periodontitis. The highest and lowest level of salivary soluble CD44 was seen in smokers with moderate chronic periodontitis and non-smokers with healthy periodontium, respectively. The results after SRP treatment in patients with periodontitis showed significant reductions in salivary soluble CD44 levels in both smokers (P=0.001) and non-smokers (P=0.031) and this reduction was found more in smokers (P=0.021). Periodontitis can increase the level of salivary soluble CD44. Also, smoking and periodontal disease have a synergism effect on increasing the level of salivary soluble CD44.