Interleukin-1 genetic association with periodontitis in clinical practice

TLDR: This study demonstrates that the composite IL-1 genotype is significantly associated with the severity of adult periodontitis and confirmed that both IL- 1 genotyping and smoking history provide objective risk factors for periodontal disease in a private practice environment.

Abstract: Background: Periodontitis is a bacterial disease modified by multiple risk factors. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key regulator of the host responses to microbial infection and a major modulator of extracellular matrix catabolism and bone resorption. It has been reported that variations in the IL-1 gene cluster on chromosome 2 are associated with increased susceptibility to severe adult periodontitis. Methods: The present study evaluated the association between a composite IL-1 genotype, including allele 2 at each of two loci (IL-1A +4845 plus IL-1B +3954), and a broad spectrum of periodontally healthy to diseased patients in a population that is typically encountered in a dental practice setting. Ninety patients, non-smokers or former smokers with less than 10 pack-year (pk/yr) history, were recruited from a private dental practice. The major outcome variable was bone loss determined by computerized linear measurements of radiographs. Genotypes were analyzed from finger-stick bl...