Investigation of the Periodontal Parameters and Salivary IL-6 Levels in Postmenopausal and Premenopausal Women

Objectives: Menopause-triggered changes in the activity of proinflammatory cytokines is an emerging theme. A proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays important roles in periodontal disease and other systemic functions, including weight regulation and bone turnover.
We aimed to investigate the periodontal health and its relationship with dental plaque P.gingivalis levels, saliva IL-6 levels, smoking status, age, body mass index (BMI) in a group postmenopausal women (PMW) and regularly menstruating premenopausal women (RMPW).
Methods: Seventy PMW (mean age 53±5) and 67 RMPW (mean age 40±4) women included to the assessment. Dental plaque P. gingivalis levels were quantified with real time PCR, and saliva IL-6 levels were determined with ELISA. Data obtained from the bone densitometry test results of 41 postmenopausal women, from the Hospital’s electronic records.
Age and BMI were significantly higher in postmenopausal group (p<0.000 and p=.005, respectively). Prevalence of periodontitis were similar in two groups.
P.gingivalis levels were significantly higher in periodontitis patients (p=.007), and a significant positive correlation was present between P.gingivalis levels and percentages of BOP+ pockets with >5 depth (r=.313, p=.002), for both of the groups.
Results: Saliva IL-6 levels affected neither by menopausal situation nor by the presence of periodontitis (p=.218 and p.834, respectively). No significant correlation was observed between the severity of ostopenic-osteoporotic situation and salivary IL-6 levels.
The correlation coefficients demonstrated a negative trend between BMI and salivary IL-6 levels, although it was significant solely in premenopausal women (PMW r=-112, p=.379 and RMPW r=-.320, p=0.008).
Conclusions: None of the examined parameters demonstrate a differential relationship with periodontal health in PMW compared to RMPW. Periodontal status does not affect saliva IL-6, levels both in postmenopausal or premenopausal women.