Volume 181, January 2026, 106440Author links open overlay panel, , , , Highlights•

Higher Gingival Crevicular Fluid sTREM-1 levels were found in chronic periodontitis patients.

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The study used a systematic review and meta-analysis to consolidate existing literature.

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This analysis addresses limitations of prior studies, such as small sample sizes and regional bias.

AbstractObjectives

To compare gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 1 (sTREM-1) between patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and those with healthy periodontal (HP) status, and evaluate its predictive value for periodontal disease progression.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched through December 2024. Manual searches were performed.

Eligibility criteria

Only studies reporting GCF sTREM-1 CP patients and HP controls were included. Clinical trials, cross-sectional, and observational studies were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality. Sensitivity analyses ensured result stability. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects model calculated standardized mean differences (SMD)with 95 % CI via Review Manager software. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's tests. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Results

Among 128 screened studies, 9 articles met eligibility criteria of the systematic review, and 6 articles (147 CP patients, 116 HP controls) were included in the meta-analysis. GCF sTREM-1 levels were higher in the CP group than HP group (SMD = 0.70; Z = 3.25; P<0.001, 95 % CI).

Conclusions

This study found higher GCF sTREM-1 levels in CP patients compared to HP controls, suggesting potential as a diagnostic marker. However, small sample sizes and methodological variability limit the findings.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022326022

Keywords

Gingival crevicular fluid

Periodontal diseases

Periodontitis

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.