Evaluation of salivary cortisol levels and periodontal condition of chemically dependent patients

• Grant number: 23/00352-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Yamamoto Chiba
• Grantee: Sabrina de Melo Borges
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chemical dependency is a chronic illness characterized by the compulsive use of psychoactive chemical substances, which can result in the development of severe side effects, such as compulsive behavior and withdrawal. Coping with mental health and behavioral disorders in chemically dependent patients, such as depression, anxiety and stress, has been widely discussed as important factors related to the broader concept of health. Furthermore, the use of certain licit and illicit substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, crack, cocaine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), trigger cholinergic effects such as reduced salivary flow, which in turn lead to a reduction in the buffering capacity of saliva. , as well as the difficulty in removing microorganisms and food, facilitating the development of oral conditions such as periodontal disease. The objectives of this study will be to evaluate, in 60 institutionalized chemically dependent patients: salivary cortisol levels and the relationship between these and the periodontal health condition. This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, with an epidemiological and laboratory quantitative approach, which will be conducted with institutionalized chemical dependent patients, residing in a treatment center for chemical dependents, located in a medium-sized municipality located in the northwest region of the State of São Paulo. Interviews will be conducted with the application of semi-structured questionnaires to obtain information about the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of patients. Oral clinical examinations will be performed by the researcher, with the help of the student as an annotator, to analyze the periodontal condition, through the Community Periodontal Index. Saliva samples will be collected, following a standardized time for all patients, to carry out the evaluation of salivary cortisol concentration through the ELISA method. The data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics techniques and the results will be presented in tables and graphs. The Chi-Square test will be used to analyze the association between the presence of periodontal changes and salivary cortisol levels. Data processing will be performed using Epi InfoTM version 7.2 and Bioestat version 5.0 software. The significance level adopted will be 5%.