Accuracy of aMMP-8 point-of- care test in indicating periodontal treatment outcomes in stage III/IV periodontitis: A 24-week follow-up study.

Objective: To analyse the correspondence between aMMP-8 PoC test results and the clinical endpoints of non-surgical periodontal treatment in stage III/IV periodontitis. Background: The diagnostic success of the active-matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) point-of- care (PoC) test has been demonstrated in various studies, but the evidence of its accuracy following periodontal treatment is limited. Materials and methods: Altogether 42 stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients were included in this prospective diagnostic study. Clinical periodontal indices were recorded, aMMP-8 PoC test was applied and mouthrinse was collected before and at 6, 12 and 24 weeks after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Quantitative aMMP-8 levels were determined with immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) for the verification of the PoC test results. The accuracy of the aMMP-8 PoC test was assessed using previously established clinical endpoints as references. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of aMMP-8 PoC test to indicate clinical endpoints were ranged as follows: Sensitivity 71.4% at baseline, 39.3%–42.4% at week 6, 28.6%–32.4% at week 12 and 35.3%–42.9% at week 24; specificity 64.3%–80% at week 6, 40%–57.1% at week 12 and 56%–64.3% at week 24. Conclusions: The accuracy of aMMP-8 PoC test in identifying clinical endpoints after non-surgical periodontal treatment is reduced in relation to baseline. Individual healing patterns of each diseased pocket eventually limit the accuracy of the dichotomous aMMP-8 oral rinse test during the post-treatment period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]