Allostatic Load Assessment Using Hair Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Concentration in Patients Affected by Periodontal Disease

Allostatic Load Assessment Using Hair Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Concentration in Patients Affected by Periodontal Disease.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT07443605

Enrollment

Registered

2026-03-02

Start date

2021-09-01

Completion date

2024-12-31

Last updated

2026-03-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders

Keywords

CORTISOL, HAIR, STRESS, PERIODONTITIS, DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE

Brief summary

This study was designed with a double-blind observation design on a population of patients with different periodontal conditions. The aim is to assess the influence of allostatic loading through the dosage of cortisol, DHEA, DHEAS in both periodontitis pathogenesis and non-surgical periodontal treatment. The NNT will be built on the biases related to the pathologies in existence. The indicative number of patients is around 100 units and samples will be taken at t0 (baseline, dental visit with periodontal evaluation) and t60 (60 days after non-surgical periodontal treatment). For this study there is no randomization of groups, the dental treatments that will be performed will be in the usual clinical practice and will not be in any way influenced by the objectives of the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At baseline, the periodontal chart will be performed, a SVS (Stress-Related Vulnerability Scale) test questionnaire will be taken and biological markers will be evaluated by taking a small strand of hair. The same revaluations will also be carried out at 60 days. Patients will also be recruited according to an information system, training and will be given a paper informed consent in accordance with the current legislation which is attached. The sample once taken will be kept at the health facility until the analysis of the sample and the results will then be communicated to the patient within 30 days.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTstressed periodontal patients

A hair strand of about 3 mm in diameter was collected from all the patients, cut at the scalp in the position of the posterior vertex and the nuchal area of the patient enrolled so as not to change or alter the aesthetic appearance a significant levy. The proximal hair segment of 1 cm was used for analysis. The average hair growth rate of 1 cm/month represents the catabolism of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in the hair, in the month preceding the periodontal evaluation.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Periodontitis stages III or IV

Exclusion criteria

\< 18 years or \> 70 years pregnant or lactating females Periodontal treatment in the previous 6 months

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate	3 months	cortisol (pg/mg) and dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (pg/mg) present in the hair of periodontal patients

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 5, 2026