The effects of stress on periodontal treatment: a longitudinal investigation using clinical and biological markers

Aim: To investigate the effects of psychosocial stress on the outcome of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NPT). Methods: Patients were categorized as stressed or unstressed, and the degree of stress was measured. One deep bleeding and one deep non-bleeding site 6mm were selected in each patient for detailed investigation, and the clinical parameters were recorded before and at 6months after NPT. Elastase and C-terminal teleopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were measured in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples at both intervals. Results: The baseline, clinical parameters and biological markers were similar in both stressed and unstressed groups, other than for GCF elastase levels, which were significantly higher in the stressed group of patients (p<0.05). The effect of stress on the changes for clinical measurements and elastase levels in GCF was statistically significant for deep bleeding sites, with the response to treatment being poorer in the stressed group. The effects of smoking and the degree of stress were not statistically significant for any of the clinical or biological parameters (p>0.05). Conclusions: Patients under psychosocial stress had a poorer outcome following NPT. The assessment of psychosocial stress may be valuable in the holistic management of periodontal disease.