Allostatic Load Assessment Using Hair Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Concentration in Patients Affected by Periodontal Disease

NCT07443605 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BLorenzo1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was designed with a double-blind observation design on a population of patients with different periodontal conditions. The aim is to assess the influence of allostatic loading through the dosage of cortisol, DHEA, DHEAS in both periodontitis pathogenesis and non-surgical periodontal treatment. The NNT will be built on the biases related to the pathologies in existence. The indicative number of patients is around 100 units and samples will be taken at t0 (baseline, dental visit with periodontal evaluation) and t60 (60 days after non-surgical periodontal treatment). For this study there is no randomization of groups, the dental treatments that will be performed will be in the usual clinical practice and will not be in any way influenced by the objectives of the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At baseline, the periodontal chart will be performed, a SVS (Stress-Related Vulnerability Scale) test questionnaire will be taken and biological markers will be evaluated by taking a small strand of hair. The same revaluations will also be carried out at 60 days. Patients will also be recruited according to an information system, training and will be given a paper informed consent in accordance with the current legislation which is attached. The sample once taken will be kept at the health facility until the analysis of the sample and the results will then be communicated to the patient within 30 days.

Conditions

Stress Disorders

Keywords

CORTISOL; HAIR; STRESS; PERIODONTITIS; DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

  cortisol (pg/mg) and dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (pg/mg) present in the hair of periodontal patients

  3 months

Study Arms (1)

Hair markers levels in stressed periodontal patients

OTHER

Diagnostic Test: stressed periodontal patients

Interventions

stressed periodontal patients DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A hair strand of about 3 mm in diameter was collected from all the patients, cut at the scalp in the position of the posterior vertex and the nuchal area of the patient enrolled so as not to change or alter the aesthetic appearance a significant levy. The proximal hair segment of 1 cm was used for analysis. The average hair growth rate of 1 cm/month represents the catabolism of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in the hair, in the month preceding the periodontal evaluation.

Hair markers levels in stressed periodontal patients

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Periodontitis stages III or IV

You may not qualify if:

• \< 18 years or \> 70 years pregnant or lactating females Periodontal treatment in the previous 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Trieste: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Trieste

Trieste, TS, 34125, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Periodontitis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Periodontal Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: DDS, Msc Clinical Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Healt, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2026
• First Posted: March 2, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2024
• Study Completion: December 31, 2024
• Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

IT (1)