Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced recently the introduction of PerioPredict™, the company’s new, next-generation version of the PST® genetic risk test for periodontal disease. PerioPredict™ will be broadly available beginning January 2014.(1)
Like the original PST® test, PerioPredict™ measures variations in the genes for Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a key mediator of inflammation, and identifies individuals who are at an increased risk for more severe periodontal (gum) disease. The new and improved sample collection device now utilizes a simple, easy-to-use cheek swab. The new test also utilizes an expansion of previous genetic markers that now cover all major ethnic groups including Hispanic, African-American, and Asian, in addition to Caucasian. PerioPredict™ is quick, easy, and painless. It is performed by dentists or dental hygienists in about a minute during a routine exam or cleaning. The sample is then sent to Interleukin Genetics, Inc., a CLIA-certified genetics laboratory, for analysis. Test results are returned to the dentist in about two weeks. A positive PerioPredict™ test result means that your patient does have the genetic variation that increases risk for severe periodontal disease. A negative PerioPredict™ test result means that your patient does not have the genetic variation that increases risk for severe periodontal disease. For more information on the test results and their interpretation, look at the Inform and Plan section of the website.(2)
The company touts the test as an innovative, easy-to-use tool to help dental professionals identify individuals with a higher risk of progressing to more severe periodontal disease. This allows for risk assessment and preventative care tailored to an individual patient’s needs. The company is planning for the formal launch in January 2014 and the CLIA-certified lab will be ready to receive and process patient samples. Over the long term, the company proposes that PerioPredict™ offers the potential to improve outcomes for dental patients and ultimately reduce long-term oral healthcare expenses.(1) The original PST® genetic risk test, originally introduced in 1997, was the first genetic test to identify an individual’s risk for developing periodontal disease. PerioPredict™ was used in a recent landmark research study titled “Patient Stratification for Preventive Dental Care,” which was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Dental Research in June 2013.(3) The study provided new insights into the prevention of periodontal disease and the significant opportunity to improve oral health through a personalized approach to preventive care. For low risk individuals in the study, the association between preventive dental visits and tooth loss was not significantly different whether the frequency was once or twice annually.(3) Individuals who are at higher risk for periodontal disease may benefit from 3-4 prophylaxes per year while those at lower risk may need only one prophylaxis per year. The authors concluded that a personalized medicine approach combining gene biomarkers with conventional risk factors to stratify populations may be useful in resource allocation for preventive dentistry.(3)
Nearly half of the adult population has periodontitis, and prevention and treatment of periodontitis contributes substantially to the $108 billion spent annually in the U.S. on dental care.(1) Current treatments to prevent periodontal disease are good oral hygiene and a recommended two preventive prophylaxes per year, even though there is little evidence to support multiple routine preventive prophylaxes.
PerioPredict™ is solely available through Interleukin Genetics. For more information, visit the website. (4) The original PST test is no longer available through any of its former distributors. To watch a step-by-step PerioPredict™ procedure demonstration, view the video on the website.(5) Sample scripts to communicate this information to your patients are also available.(6) The billing code for PerioPredict™ is D0421, Genetic test for susceptibility to oral diseases. There are many other resources available on the Resource Center of the website.(7)References 1. Press release. Lanmark 360. Supported By Evidence from Recent Landmark Research Study. Dental Media Contact:Marisa Tranchina, Lanmark360. [email protected]. 2. http://periopredict.com/professional/inform-plan.php. 3. Giannobile WV, Braun TM, Caplis AK, Doucette-Stamm L, Duff GW, Kornman KS. Patient stratification for preventive care in dentistry. J Dent Res. 2013 Aug;92(8):694-701. http://jdr.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/06/05/0022034513492336.full. 4. www.PerioPredict.com. 5. http://periopredict.com/professional/collect-code.php. 6. http://periopredict.com/professional/pdf/PerioPredict-Sample-Scripts.pdf. 7. http://periopredict.com/professional/resource-center.php.
