Saliva and serum biomarkers in oral diseases: A case–control study

Saliva stands out as an advantageous diagnostic fluid due to various reasons that make it a reliable and practical source for analysis. Its abundance facilitates easy and large-scale sample collection, enhancing its diagnostic utility. The simplicity of collecting and storing saliva samples, combined with its accessibility and cost-effectiveness compared to other body fluids, makes it an attractive choice for diagnostic purposes. This study aims to investigate and compare variations in salivary biomarkers with their serum counterparts in specific oral diseases such as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), lichen planus (LP), and oral cancer (OC). A case-control study was conducted in 55 individuals, including 15 patients with RAS, 13 patients with LP, 12 patients with OC, and a 15 individuals in the control group. Saliva and serum samples were collected after a specified fasting period, and various biomarker analyses immunoglobulin A (IgA), cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were conducted using laboratory techniques. In this study, an independent samples t-test was employed to investigate the significant differences between the experimental groups and the control group. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in the salivary IgA levels, salivary cortisol levels, and salivary LDH levels (P = .000) (P = .016) (P = .001), respectively, as compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in serum cortisol levels (P = .363) and serum IgA levels (P = .101) when compared to the control group. Interestingly, significant differences materialized when evaluating serum LDH levels (P = .048) in the OC group as compared to the control group. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the utility of salivary biomarkers in diagnosing oral diseases and may pave the way for improved diagnostic and treatment strategies in the field of oral health.