Periodontal disease in adults with isolated growth hormone deficiency: clinical, microbiological and immunological aspects.

Abstract

There is no information in the literature regarding the influence of Growth Hormone Deficiency in the immuno-inflammatory mechanisms involved in periodontal tissues destruction. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that the isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) leads to an inflammatory response and bone homeostasis change, increasing the inflammatory process, regardless a change in the microbiota. The sample will comprise 32 IGHD individuals and 32 controls, matched for age, gender, socio-economic condition, smoking status and diabetes. A follow-up periodontal clinical examination (3 years) will be performed in order to assess periodontal disease severity and progression in groups, as well as subgingival biofilm to check periodontal pathogens levels and proportions, i.e. A actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola. Also, gingival crevicular fluid will be collected to analyze gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis mediators. (AU)