Quantifying Associations of Stress and Inflammation-Associated Oral Biomarkers with Oral Health, Oral Health Behaviors, Systemic Biomarkers & Clinical Phenotype in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorde

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Abstract

During the fiscal year, the project titled "Quantifying Associations of Stress and Inflammation-Associated Oral Biomarkers with Oral Health, Oral Health Behaviors, Systemic Biomarkers and Clinical Phenotype in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)" has progressed through scientific review approval, with final Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval pending after two requested clarifications. The study, an observational pilot, aims to explore relationships between clinical phenotypes, oral health behaviors, objective oral health, and stress and inflammation-related biomarkers in individuals with AUD. Part 1 will involve cognitive interviews to assess the validity of the Oral Health Behaviors Assessment Questionnaire (OHBA). Part 2 will focus on biological and behavioral data collection, including saliva and blood samples, dental exams, and health behavior assessments, with the goal of evaluating the feasibility of using salivary biomarkers to quantify stress and inflammation. This stage will also provide preliminary data on associations between oral biomarkers and both oral health and systemic conditions, comparing patients with AUD to matched controls. The data management plan has been initiated, and data collection and management processes have been optimized in RedCap. IRB approval for the study was granted on 10/23/2024, and we completed enrollment for Part 1 on 3/7/2025. Modifications to the OHBA based on cognitive interviews from Part 1 were submitted to the IRB and approved on 5/28/2025. We anticipate to start enrolling for Part 2 of the protocol September-October 2025.