The role of serum vitamin d level in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and its effect on alveolar bone

Vitamin D affects the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, and it has been reported that vitamin D deficiency causes an increase in alveolar bone loss and a decrease in bone mineral density. Vitamin D is known to play a role in immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It was concluded that vitamin D may affect periodontal disease through both its immunomodulatory effects and its effects on bone mineral density. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of serum levels of biomarkers (calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone) related to vitamin D and bone metabolism on periodontal disease and to evaluate the relationship between all these biochemical parameters and radiomorphometric indices. A total of 137 periodontitis patients were included in the study and the patients were divided into Stage (I, II, III, IV) and Grade (A, B, C) groups according to the new periodontitis classification created at the 2017 World Workshop. Venous blood samples were taken from the patients and biomarkers and vitamin D levels were obtained and recorded in serum samples. In digital panoramic radiographs, mandibular cortical index (MCI) measurements were made to determine the quality of the bone and mental index (MI) measurements were made to determine the quantity of the bone. It was observed that vitamin D levels were low in all periodontitis groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the stages in terms of vitamin D levels (p= 0,055). However, since this p value was very close to 0,05, it was considered borderline significant according to its clinical significance. No significant relationship was observed between the rate of progression (grade) of periodontal disease and vitamin D level. When the relationship between calcium, phosphorus, ALP and PTH levels and periodontitis was examined, no significant relationship was observed with the severity (stage) and progression rate (grade) of the disease. There was no significant relationship between MCI and MI and vitamin D levels and other biomarkers. There was no significant difference between the periodontitis groups according to the results of MCI and MI. While there was a difference between age groups in terms of vitamin D levels, no significant difference was found in the levels of other biomarkers. MCI and MI values did not differ significantly between age and gender groups. Vitamin D and PTH levels did not differ between genders, while calcium, phosphorus and ALP differed statistically. In line with these results, it is thought that vitamin D deficiency may affect the development and progression of periodontitis. The evaluation of vitamin D levels in individuals with periodontal disease is also supported. Studies with larger and homogeneously distributed participant populations are needed.