Increase of crevicular interleukin 1β under academic stress at experimental gingivitis sites and at sites of perfect oral hygiene

This study analyses the effects of academic stress on crevicular interleukin-1 beta (Il-1 beta) both at experimental gingivitis sites and at sites of perfect oral hygiene. Il-1 beta is thought to play a predominant role in periodontal tissue destruction. 13 medical students participating in a major medical exam (exam group) and 13 medical students not participating in any exam throughout the study period (control group) volunteered for the study. In a split-mouth-design, they refrained from any oral hygiene procedures in two opposite quadrants for 21 days (experimental gingivitis) while they maintained perfect hygiene levels at the remaining sites. Crevicular fluid was sampled for further Il-1 beta analysis at teeth 5 and 6 of the upper jaw at days 1, 5, 8, 11, 14, 18 and 21 of the experimental gingivitis period. Exam students showed significantly higher Il-1 beta levels than controls both at experimental gingivitis sites (area under the curve, exam group: 1240.64+/-140.07; control group: 697.61+/-111.30; p=0.004) and at sites of perfect oral hygiene (exam group: 290.42+/-63.19; control group: 143.98+/-42.71; p=0.04). These results indicate that stress might affect periodontal health by increasing local Il-1 beta levels especially when oral hygiene is neglected.