Exploring the periodontal health status and level of matrix metalloproteinases in patients with interstitial lung disease: a case control study.

Periodontitis has been linked to several respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and lung cancer; however, the role of periodontal health status and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) remains largely unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate periodontal health and evaluate serum and salivary levels of MMP-7, MMP-8, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in patients with ILDs. A total of 75 individuals were included and divided equally into three groups: healthy controls, patients with chronic periodontitis, and patients with ILDs. Demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status were recorded, along with clinical parameters including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. The findings revealed that levels of MMP-7 and MMP-8 were significantly elevated in both the periodontitis and ILD groups compared to healthy controls, while TIMP-1 did not show notable variation among groups. Clinical periodontal parameters were also higher in patients with ILDs as well as those with chronic periodontitis. These results suggest a possible link between ILD and chronic periodontitis, both from clinical and biochemical perspectives. The study provides pioneering evidence in the emerging field of oral-systemic research, emphasizing the need for further investigations with larger sample sizes and interventional designs to strengthen the evidence base and explore possible genetic associations underlying this relationship.