Evaluating Salivary Alkaline Phosphatase Levels as a Biochemical Marker of Periodontal Disease in Periodontal Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background and aims. Traditional methods of diagnosing periodontal diseases have their limitations, which include inability to provide information about the recent activity of the disease and difficulty in diagnosing the disease at an early stage when clinical changes have not started. This has necessitated the use of biomarkers designed to overcome these shortcomings.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted among three groups of 27 participants each to assess the level of salivary alkaline phosphatase (SALP). The groups consisted of a control group (healthy) and two test groups (gingivitis and periodontitis). Saliva samples were collected and spectrophotometric analyses were carried out.

Results. The highest mean SALP level (87.78 U/L) was found in group III, followed by group II (73.56 U/L), with group I exhibiting the least (38.89 U/L). The differences in the mean SALP between groups I and II, II and III, and I and III were statistically significant. Correlation between periodontal pockets depth and mean SALP was significant in group III.

Conclusion. Variations in mean SALP levels among subjects with different periodontal conditions showed that mean SALP can differentiate various degrees of periodontal conditions and therefore has the potential to be used as a biochemical marker for periodontal disease.