Effect of ultrasonic scaling on salivary lactate dehydrogenase.

Purpose: To determine Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity (LDHA) in whole saliva in individuals with periodontal disease and the effect of ultrasonic scaling on this enzyme activity.
Methods: A study group of 50 patients with PD (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs > or = 3) was selected at random. Half of the patients (n=25) received ultrasonic periodontal treatment (Group 1). In the other 25 patients with PD the ultrasonic scaling was not performed (Group 2). A control group was selected (Group 3) consisting of 25 adults without PD (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs = 0), with age and gender distribution similar to the study group. LDHA determinations were carried out with a Cobas Mira Plus II autoanalyzer pursuant to the recommendations of the French Society of Clinical Biology. A baseline determination of LDHA was carried out on all the participants and a second determination was performed 3 months later.
Results: Baseline determination of LDHA was higher in patients with PD than in the control group. These differences were statistically significant (P< 0.001). LDHA was significantly reduced in patients with PD after ultrasonic scaling with respect to baseline determination (P< 0.0001). LDHA differences between Groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant (P< 0.0001), but it was not so between Groups 1 and 3.