A comparison of the periodontal status in patients with type 2 diabetes based on glycated haemoglobin levels and other risk factors

Association between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: study in a population attended by the Brazilian Health System

Abstract Introduction Periodontitis control helps to prevent and control diabetes mellitus and understanding of this relationship can lead to changes in health policy. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between periodontitis, knowledge, and glycemic control. Material and method This is a cross-sectional analytical epidemiological survey with 216 Type 2 diabetic patients, non-smokers, who had current blood screenings with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Result Overall, 93.51% of the patients reported brushing their teeth at least twice a day, 62.5% visited the dentist last year, 81.58% have already undergone treatment for periodontal disease, 43.52% reported having periodontitis and 59.72% had controlled diabetes. No significant (p=0.603) association between HbA1c control and the presence of periodontitis was found. Among the patients with periodontitis, no association between HbA1c control and information on the periodontal disease was found (p=0.996), and know/believe in its relationship with diabetes (p=0.659; p=0.973). Conclusion No relationship between periodontitis and diabetes was found in the sample, as well as in patients with periodontitis, those with knowledge on periodontal disease and knowledge/belief in its relationship with diabetes, which could be justified by the care by a multi-professional health team.

Tooth loss in patients with and without diabetes: A large-scale, cross-sectional study of Mexican adults

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to compare the experience and distribution of tooth loss in people with and without diabetes.

METHODS

The authors conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of patients at a public university. Analysis included medical records of those treated from 2013 through 2017. The dependent and main independent variables were the number of missing teeth and a diagnosis of diabetes, respectively. As covariables, the authors analyzed the sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as the general and oral health status of patients. A multivariate model based on negative binomial regression was constructed.

RESULTS

Of the 3,406 medical records analyzed, 64.2% (n = 2,185) pertained to women, the mean age was 42.45 years, 87.9% did not have diabetes, and 12.1% had received a diagnosis of diabetes. The mean (standard deviation) number of missing teeth was 7.46 (7.89), 7.09 (7.60) in patients without diabetes, and 10.12 (9.32) in patients with diabetes. According to our final multivariate model, the expected mean number of missing teeth was 11.4% higher in patients with diabetes than in those without (P = .006). For every 1-year increase in age, the expected mean number of missing teeth increased by 3.9% (P < .001). Other variables related to tooth loss included occupation, marital status, and type of insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study indicate that the mean number of missing teeth is higher in people with diabetes and suggest that certain socioeconomic inequalities exist in the area of oral health.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The population needs to be apprised of the impact of diabetes on oral health.

Gender Differences in Periodontal Status and Oral Hygiene of Non-Diabetic and Type 2 Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND

This study investigated gender dependent differences by the comparison of periodontal status and oral hygiene between diabetic patients and non-diabetic subjects.

METHODS

517 mostly obese subjects (171 non-diabetic, 205 type 2 diabetic with oral and 141 with insulin therapy; mean: 59 years) completed an oral hygiene questionnaire and had a clinical examination, including periodontal screening and recording (PSR), percentage of bleeding teeth (PBT), probing pocket depth (PD), gingivitis index (GI), and number of teeth (Tn). Main parameters were "periodontitis" and "oral hygiene behaviour", each defined by 5 sub-parameters. For a comparison of all results, each sub-parameter was set 0.2. The "low performance index" (LoP) was the sum of significantly worse sub-parameters in the compared groups (maximum of low performing = 1.0).

RESULTS

Gender comparison: In non-diabetic and diabetic patients with oral medication, males performed worse (LoP: periodontitis 0.6 - 0.8; oral hygiene 0.4 - 0.6). The male insulin group performed worse oral hygiene (LoP: 0.4) than females with insulin therapy, whereas the periodontal status showed no difference. Diabetic and non-diabetic groups: Females: Diabetic groups performed worse than non-diabetics (LoP: periodontitis 0.2 - 1.0; oral hygiene 0.4). Insulin patients had worse periodontal status and showed no difference in oral hygiene when compared to diabetic patients with oral medication (LoP: 0.2). Males: Diabetic group with oral medication had worse periodontal status than non-diabetics (LoP: 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The periodontal status was mainly due to oral hygiene behaviour, which was worse in men. Apparently behaviour and not diabetes is the major determinant of periodontitis. Men apparently need much more advise than women.