Background and purpose: Smoking increases the incidence and severity of periodontal disease. Elevation in the level of salivary soluble CD44 is considered as a diagnostic marker in some smoking-induced disorders such as periodontal disease. This study evaluated the salivary soluble CD44 level in smokers and non-smokers with and without moderate chronic periodontitis, before and one month after scaling and root planning (SRP). Materials and methods: This case-control study was done in 50 male aged 30 to 60 years attending Periodontology and Oral Medicine Departments of Babol Faculty of Dentistry, 2011-2012. The patients included 23 with moderate chronic periodontitis, 11 smokers, 12 non-smokers, and 27 patients with healthy periodontium of whom nine were smokers and 18 were non-smokers). The level of salivary soluble CD44 was assessed at baseline for all patients and one month after SRP for patients with moderate chronic periodontitis. Results: The highest and lowest level of salivary soluble CD44 was seen in smokers with moderate chronic periodontitis and non-smokers with healthy periodontium, respectively. The results after SRP treatment in patients with periodontitis showed significant reductions in salivary soluble CD44 levels in both smokers (P=0.001) and non-smokers (P=0.031) and this reduction was found more in smokers (P=0.021). Conclusion: Periodontitis can increase the level of salivary soluble CD44. Also, smoking and periodontal disease have a synergism effect on increasing the level of salivary soluble CD44.

Keywords: CD44, Periodontitis, SRP (Scaling and Root Planning), Smoker

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