Objective Periodontitis is the irreversible destructive process of the periodontium
and is the major cause of tooth loss in adults worldwide. Diagnosis of early-stage
periodontal disease is crucial for improving outcomes, and to this end, the application
of indicator biomarkers is gaining interest. One such method involves measuring the
level of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). This systematic review and meta-analysis
aims to evaluate the salivary MMP-8 level of periodontitis and gingivitis cases compared
to healthy controls. Data We evaluated all studies that compared different laboratory
techniques for measuring salivary MMP-8 levels in periodontitis and gingivitis patients,
alongside healthy controls. Sources The systematic search was performed on 10 October
2022 in three electronic databases. Study selection results Pooled mean differences
(MD) were calculated with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) between the researched groups.
In addition, the correlation coefficient results between MMP-8 values and other clinical
parameters were narratively summarized. Based on 20 eligible studies (n = 1725), patients
with periodontitis presented significantly higher MMP-8 levels (MD = 273.26 ng/ml,
CI: 194.42; 352.10). Similarly, patients with gingivitis presented significantly higher
salivary MMP-8 levels than healthy individuals (MD = 122.82 ng/ml, CI: 64.19; 181.45)
based on the results of 10 eligible studies (n = 704). Additionally, we found higher
MMP-8 levels in periodontitis compared to gingivitis (MD = 112.04 ng/ml, CI: 56.15;
167.92). The correlation results suggest that salivary MMP-8 is associated with different
clinical periodontal parameters. Conclusion Salivary MMP-8 level measurement may be
a reliable method to distinguish between periodontal health and periodontal disease
and also to distinguish between gingivitis and periodontitis. Clinical significance
The measurement of salivary MMP-8 levels may have the potential to differentiate between
periodontal health and disease reliably. Accordingly, it can be considered for integration
into routine dental examinations as a quick and convenient method for the early detection
and prevention of periodontitis, pending further validation.
