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Effectiveness of the Salivary Occult Blood Test as a Screening Method for Periodontal Status
Author(s) -
Shimazaki Yoshihiro,
Akifusa Sumio,
Takeshita Toru,
Shibata Yukie,
Doi Yasufumi,
Hata Jun,
Ninomiya Toshiharu,
Hirakawa Yoichiro,
Kiyohara Yutaka,
Yamashita Yoshihisa
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2010.100304
Subject(s) - occult , medicine , test (biology) , dentistry , saliva , pathology , alternative medicine , biology , paleontology
Background: Community‐based periodontal examinations are not popular despite the high prevalence of periodontal disease among adults. This study examines the effectiveness of a novel salivary occult blood test (SOBT) as a screening method for periodontal status. Methods: Comprehensive health examinations were conducted in adult residents aged ≥40 years in Hisayama, Fukuoka, Japan; 1,998 subjects, each with ≥20 teeth, were analyzed. A paper test strip was used to perform the SOBT and was followed by a periodontal examination. Results were ranked as negative or positive. Subjects with ≥15% of teeth with bleeding on probing (BOP) or ≥1 tooth with a probing depth (PD) ≥4 mm were defined as having a poor periodontal status. The relationship between the results of the SOBT and periodontal parameters and among other variables was examined. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the SOBT in screening for poor periodontal status were 0.72 and 0.52, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the results of the SOBT were significantly associated with the proportion of teeth with BOP and the proportion of teeth with PD ≥4 mm, independent of age, sex, use of antihypertensive medication, use of antidiabetic medication or insulin therapy, and the number of decayed or filled teeth. Conclusion: The SOBT may offer a simple screening method for periodontal status when a thorough periodontal examination is not possible, although it is not sufficiently specific to be a reasonable substitute for a periodontal examination.