Effect of interleukin-1 gene polymorphism in a periodontally healthy Hispanic population treated with mucogingival surgery

Objectives: A genetic test for susceptibility of periodontal disease has been introduced. A positive test indicates a risk factor for more severe periodontal destruction. The prevalence of genotype positive subjects has been reported around 30%. In a Mexican population, we have found a 26% prevalence of genotype positive individuals. Few studies have reported the response to therapy in these individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the response to mucogingival surgery in an otherwise periodontally healthy Hispanic population. Materials and methods: 22 subjects (7 male and 15 female) with a mean age of 45 years participated. They were treated 3 years prior for the treatment of Types I and II recession defects using connective tissue grafts. No other active periodontal treatment was required, except for preventive maintenance. A full-mouth clinical evaluation was performed which included assessment of gingival inflammation and measurements of probing pocket depth and clinical attachment levels. Mean values per patient were determined. A finger stick blood sample was collected using specially provided DNA filter paper, let dried, and mailed for processing. Results: Results indicated that 5 out of the 22 subjects were genotype positive. The genotype positive subjects presented the following values: GI 1.13+/-0.17, PPD 2.48+/-0.46, and CAL 3.38+/-0.66. The values for the genotype negative subjects were GI 1.06+/-0.14, PPD 2.38+/-0.31 and CAL 3.11+/-0.53. No statistical significant differences were found when both groups were compared (P>0.05). Furthermore, the treatment of the localized recessions was effective and provided similar amount of coverage in genotype positive and negative subjects. However, more genotype negative subjects showed complete coverage of the recession than genotype positive individuals. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study it is concluded that (1) periodontal health can be maintained with proper preventive maintenance irrespective of the genotype present, (2) the mean response to mucogingival surgery to cover localized gingival recessions is similar irrespective of the IL-1 periodontal genotype, however, full coverage is achieved more frequently in genotype negative subjects.