Associations between Inflammatory Biomarkers, Clinical Parameters of Periodontitis, and COVID-19 History

<ns3:p>Background Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. Proinflammatory markers such as IL-8, PGE2, and CRP play key roles in its pathogenesis and are also elevated in systemic conditions like COVID-19. Shared inflammatory pathways and increased ACE2 expression suggest a potential link between periodontitis and COVID-19. However, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on periodontal health remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between ACE2, IL-8, PGE2, CRP, and clinical periodontal parameters in individuals with and without a history of COVID-19. Methods A case-control study was conducted involving 47 participants from RSKGM FKG UI and Bhayangkara Hospital TK.I.R. Said Sukanto. Clinical parameters assessed included bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected to analyze ACE2, IL-8, PGE2, and CRP levels. Participants were grouped based on COVID-19 history, with strict inclusion criteria and statistical analysis using G*Power, SPSS, and GraphPad Prism. Results ACE2, CRP, and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in individuals with a history of COVID-19 (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and p = 0.006, respectively), while PGE2 showed a non-significant trend (p = 0.065). No significant differences were observed in BOP, PPD, and CAL between groups. CRP levels were significantly elevated in both periodontitis and non-periodontitis groups with a COVID-19 history. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between ACE2 and other biomarkers (IL-8, PGE2, CRP), as well as between IL-8 and clinical parameters (PPD, CAL). Conclusion This study indicates a correlation between elevated levels of ACE2, IL-8, PGE2, and CRP and the severity of periodontitis in individuals with a history of COVID-19. These findings emphasize the necessity for further research and periodontal care for patients with COVID-19 history.</ns3:p>