Comparison of periodontal status and salivary IL-15 and -18 levels in cigarette-smokers and individuals using electronic nicotine delivery systems

It is hypothesized that periodontal status is compromised and whole salivary (WS) interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-18 levels are higher among cigarette-smokers and electronic-nicotine-delivery-systems (ENDS)-users than never-smokers. The aim of the present case-control study was to compare the periodontal status and WS IL-15 and -18 levels among cigarette-smokers, ENDS-users and controls (never-smokers). Participants were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group-1:Current cigarette-smokers; Group-2:ENDS-users; Group-3:Never-smokers with periodontitis; and Group-4: Never-smokers without periodontitis. Demographic data was collected and plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing-depth (PD), clinical attachment-loss (AL), and marginal bone loss (MBL) were measured. Number of missing teeth were recorded and WS IL-15 and IL-18 levels were determined. Group-comparisons were done and P