Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have explored saliva as a non-invasive diagnostic fluid across various systemic and autoimmune conditions. However, its potential role in diagnosing primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) remains unclear. AIM: This systematic review examines whether salivary biomarkers can assist in the diagnosis of PBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indexed databases (PubMed and Scopus) and bibliographies of relevant articles were searched between November 2024 and December 2024. Original cross-sectional studies investigating salivary biomarkers specifically for PBC diagnosis were included. Quality appraisal was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. RESULTS: Three studies involving 204 participants met the inclusion criteria. Salivary antimitochondrial antibodies-M2 (AMA-M2), pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 (PDC-E2) related autoantibodies, and inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)] were consistently elevated in PBC patients compared with healthy controls. Proteomic alterations, particularly increased cystatin S-type proteins and altered S100A family proteoforms, also differentiated PBC from healthy groups. Among all markers, AMA-M2 and PDC-E2 specific antibodies demonstrated the highest diagnostic specificity. CONCLUSION: Available evidence suggests that select salivary autoantibodies and inflammatory proteins may hold diagnostic potential for PBC. Although promising, current data are limited, and larger, standardised studies are required to validate these biomarkers for clinical use.