Evaluation of salivary lactate dehydrogenase level among tobacco users - A hospital based study

TL;DR

This study shows that salivary lactate dehydrogenase levels are higher in tobacco users with oral lesions, suggesting it could help detect early signs of oral disease.

Contribution

The study demonstrates salivary LDH as a potential biomarker for oral mucosal changes in tobacco users.

Findings

Salivary LDH levels were highest in tobacco users with oral lesions.

LDH levels were lower in tobacco users without lesions compared to those with lesions.

Control non-tobacco users had the lowest LDH levels.

Abstract

Salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) holds promise as a screening tool for early oral mucosal changes, including precancers and
cancers, often linked to tobacco use. This study evaluated salivary LDH levels across 135 patients from the dental outpatient department
at M. G. M. Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Participants were categorized into three groups (n=45 each):
non-tobacco users (controls), tobacco users without oral lesions and tobacco users with oral lesions. Unstimulated saliva samples were
collected, centrifuged and analyzed for LDH levels. Results revealed significantly highest salivary LDH levels in tobacco users with
lesions, followed by tobacco users without lesions and then the control group. These findings suggest that salivary LDH could be a
valuable biomarker for detecting pathological changes in the oral mucosa of tobacco users.