Evaluation of the Faecal Occult Blood Test as a Screening Tool for Periodontal Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of using a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) kit as a screening tool for periodontal disease. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the test's sensitivity and specificity while exploring the influence of factors like age, sex and the number of teeth on its performance.

Methods: A prospective observational case-control study involving 150 participants divided into three groups on the basis of the basic periodontal examination index: healthy (n = 21), gingivitis (n = 52) and periodontitis (n = 77). Salivary occult blood tests were conducted using the Onsite FOB-Hi Rapid Test. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test and chi-square tests.

Results: The FOBT kit demonstrated a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 100%. The number of teeth significantly influenced test results (p value = 0.021, chi-square). Age (p value = 0.09, chi-square) and sex (p value = 0.213, chi-square) did not significantly impact the test's performance.

Conclusion: The FOBT kit demonstrates high sensitivity (91.3%) and specificity (100%) as a screening tool for periodontal disease. Its affordability and global availability make it suitable for detecting periodontal disease across different age groups, sexes and numbers of teeth.