Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether a specific interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-4 (IRAK4) gene polymorphism had any influence on the development of changes in maxillary sinus, particularly in the presence of etiological factors of dental origin.
Materials and methods: The study population included 153 Portuguese Caucasians that were selected from a database of 504 retrospectively analysed computed tomography (CT) scans. A genetic test was performed, and a model was created through logistic analysis and regression coefficients. The statistical methodologies included were the independent Chi test, Fisher's exact test, binary logistic regression and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results: The estimated prevalence of IRAK4 gene polymorphism found in a Portuguese Caucasian population was 26.8 % (CI 95%) [20.1, 34.7 %]. A model to predict the inflammatory response in the maxillary sinus in the presence etiological factors of dental origin was constructed. This model had the following as variables: previously diagnosed sinusitis, sinus pressure symptoms, cortical bone loss observed on CT, positive genetic test result and radiographic examination that revealed the roots of the teeth communication with the maxillary sinus, which are interpreted as risk factors.
Conclusions: The constructed model should be considered an initial clinical tool. The area under the ROC curve found, AUC = 0.91, revealed that the model correctly predicts the outcome in 91.1% of cases.
Clinical relevance: The clinical relevance of this study lies in trying to achieve a potential tool (a model) that may assist the clinician in the implementation of suitable dental treatment plans in complex cases, with probable involvement of the maxillary sinus.
Keywords: Genetic polymorphism; Genetic predisposition; IRAK-4 human protein; Maxillary sinusitis.