Abstract
Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) contains a variety of inflammatory substances resulting from the host response to microbial challenge in the periodontal pocket. Thus, laboratory tests of GCF could be utilized for the early detection of periodontal inflammation and/or motivation of workers with respect to the modification of unfavorable health behavior. We investigated the association of inflammatory substances in the GCF with the oral health status and lifestyle of workers in order to examine the potential of the laboratory test of GCF for worksite health promotion. GCF was collected with standardized filter paper at one fixed site for 921 employees. Hemoglobin (Hb), α1-antitrypsin (AT), lactoferrin (LF) and IgA levels were determined at a commercial laboratory. Logistic regression analyses of the levels of these substances as dependent variables showed negative associations for all tests with the number of existing teeth. Levels of Hb, AT and LF were positively associated with individual scores of the Community Periodontal Index. Individual scores of plaque accumulation were positively associated with levels of AT, LF and IgA. Although current smoking was significantly associated with the level of Hb, smokers were less likely to have high levels of Hb in the GCF than their non-smoking counterparts. The Oral-Health Practice Index was negatively correlated with levels of AT and LF. These results indicated that the levels of GCF contents were associated with the oral health status and oral-health related lifestyle of workers. Profile records of the laboratory GCF test could be used for the explanation of periodontal inflammation and oral health status, even though the sample was drawn from one site from the mouths of workers. The results also suggested that the Hb level in the GCF should be used carefully in the case of current smokers. Further studies are needed to develop GCF tests which could be related to the lifestyle of workers.
