Association between salivary levels of chromogranin A and periodontitis in older Japanese

The relationship between periodontitis and stress-related hormones is poorly understood. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the associations between the stress-related hormone, chromogranin A (CgA) and periodomitis in healthy community-dwelling elderly subjects aged 60 years old and older. A total of 171 subjects (85 males, 86 females; mean age of 68.4 +/- 4.46 (SD) years old) participated, all of whom were living independently. Stimulated whole saliva samples were collected and CgA levels were determined, while a medical questionnaire regarding medical conditions and lifestyle was also administered. Clinical examinations included probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). When the subjects were divided into two groups based on periodontitis severity, the salivary CgA levels were significantly higher in subjects with severe PD or CAL. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher CgA level was significantly associated with greater numbers of teeth With severe PD or CAL, after adjusting for confounding variables. In this first known report of the association between CgA level and periodontitis, our results suggest a close relationship between the extent and severity of periodontitis and salivary level of CgA in healthy elderly subjects.