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Comparative analysis of three commercial saliva testing kits with a standard saliva buffering test
Author(s) -
Kitasako Y,
Burrow MF,
Stacey M,
Huq L,
Reynolds EC,
Tagami J
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/j.1834-7819.2008.00023.x
Subject(s) - saliva , rank correlation , test (biology) , spearman's rank correlation coefficient , test method , round robin test , chromatography , statistics , chemistry , mathematics , biology , paleontology , biochemistry
Background: In 1959, Ericsson developed a laboratory buffer capacity test. Because the Ericsson test is not practical for use as a chair‐side test, commercially available saliva buffering capacity tests have been developed for use in the dental office. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between a modified Ericsson test and three commercially available quantitative and colourimetric tests. Methods: Stimulated saliva (by chewing paraffin wax) was collected from 113 patients. Individual saliva buffering capacity was assessed with the following four different methods: modified Ericsson test; quantitative test using a hand‐held pH meter; paper strip; or liquid colourimetric test. The correlations of ranking results among the different tests were analysed using the Spearman Rank Correlation Test, p < 0.001. Results: Spearman Rank Correlation indicated significant positive coefficients between the modified Ericsson test and the quantitative test (ρ = 0.857), the paper strip colourimetric test (ρ = 0.621) and the liquid‐type colourimetric test (ρ = 0.689). Conclusion: The detection level of medium and high buffering capacity was test dependent. The quantitative test using a hand‐held pH meter showed a stronger positive correlation with the modified Ericsson test. The qualitative tests seemed less reliable, particularly for patients classified as having a medium buffering capacity.