Type 2 diabetes and its characteristics are associated with poor oral health: findings from 60,590 senior women from the E3N study

Exploring Salivary Metabolic Alterations in Type 2 Diabetes: Implications for Dental Caries and Potential Influences of HbA1c and Vitamin D Levels

Diabetes mellitus is considered to be the most common health issue affecting almost 1 in 11 adults globally. Oral health complications including xerostomia, periodontal disease, dental caries, and soft tissue lesions are prevalent among individuals with diabetes, and therefore an understanding of the potential association between salivary metabolites and dental caries progression would enable the early detection and prevention of this non-communicable disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare salivary biomarkers between individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with those without this disorder (ND) using 1H NMR-based metabolomics strategies. The objectives were to identify T2DM-associated biomarker signatures and their potential impact on dental caries. In addition, HbA1c and vitamin D levels were also analysed for this purpose.

METHODS

Stimulated whole-mouth saliva (SWS) samples were collected from T2DM and ND (n = 30 in each case) participants randomly selected from a group of 128 participants recruited for this case-control study. All participants were advised to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking for at least 1-2 h prior to sample collection. Following preparation, SWS supernatants underwent 1H NMR analysis at an operating frequency of 800 MHz, and the dataset acquired was analysed using a range of multivariate metabolomics techniques.

RESULTS

Metabolomics analysis of data acquired demonstrated that, together with up- and downregulated blood HbA1c and vitamin D levels, key salivary discriminators between these two classifications included lactate, taurine, creatinine, α-glucose, and formate to a lesser extent. The bacterial catabolites lactate and formate were both significantly upregulated in the T2DM group, and these have previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of dental caries. Significance analysis of metabolites (SAM)-facilitated AUROC analysis yielded an 83% accuracy for this distinction.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study highlights the significant differences in salivary metabolites between individuals with T2DM and healthy controls. Such differences appear to be related to the development and progression of dental caries in T2DM patients.

Virtual reality-based simulation learning on geriatric oral health care for nursing students: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

There is a great need for training and education in the nursing curriculum to improve nurses' knowledge and skills to provide oral health care.

METHODS

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the use of a virtual reality (VR)-based Oral Health Care Learning System to train geriatric oral health care among nursing students. Fifty undergraduate nursing students were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The experimental group received the VR-based simulation training on geriatric oral health care and the training was implemented twice at two weeks apart from March to November 2021. The control group did not receive the training intervention. Knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health care as well as the intention to assist oral health care for older adults were assessed at the beginning, second, and fourth weeks. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the effectiveness of the VR-based simulation training.

RESULTS

After the first round of training, students in the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in knowledge and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health care than in the control group. After the second round of training, students in the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health care as well as the intention to assist oral health care for older adult than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The VR-based simulation training was effective to improve undergraduate nursing students' knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy of geriatric oral health as well as the intention to assist oral health care for older adults. The VR-based simulation learning system is an effective tool to provide practice experiences to build confidence and skills and to bridge the gap of understudied geriatric oral health content in entry-level nursing curricula.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05248542; registration date 21/02/2022).

Oral health's role in diabetes risk: a cross-sectional study with sociodemographic and lifestyle insights

Introduction

Diabetes, a key chronic non-communicable disease, poses a substantial public health burden. The role of oral health as a determinant in the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus, particularly in the Central Eastern European region, remains underexplored. This research aims to examine the impact of specific oral health parameters, including gum bleeding, active dental caries, tooth mobility, and tooth loss, on diabetes prevalence. Additionally, it seeks to clarify the moderating effects of socio-demographic and lifestyle variables on this relationship.

Materials and methods

Data were extracted from the 2014 and 2019 datasets of the Hungarian European Health Interview Survey, comprising a combined nationally representative sample of 11,429 participants. Descriptive statistics were presented as weighted proportions and unweighted counts, and weighted Pearson's chi-squared tests were employed for assessing associations and goodness-of-fit. Significant predictors were integrated into weighted multiple logistic regression models for analysis. Sensitivity analysis was then conducted to confirm the robustness of the findings.

Results

The study identified 'Bad' self-perceived oral health as a diabetes risk (OR=1.35; 95% CI: [1.04-1.75]), with filled teeth being protective (0.65 [0.51-0.84]). Subgroup analysis revealed higher diabetes odds among individuals with primary education (1.41 [1.02-1.96]) and rural residents with tooth loss from decay (3.54 [1.36-9.19]). The bootstrap analysis with 1,000 iterations reaffirmed the model's stability and predictive accuracy for diabetes.

Discussion

Enhanced oral health is associated with lower risk factors for diabetes. This research highlights the importance of including oral health measures in comprehensive diabetes management approaches.

Poor Oral Health Linked with Higher Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive and behavioral changes in older adults. Emerging evidence suggests poor oral health is associated with AD, but there is a lack of large-scale clinical studies demonstrating this link. Herein, we used the TriNetX database to generate clinical cohorts and assess the risk of AD and survival among >30 million de-identified subjects with normal oral health (n = 31,418,814) and poor oral health (n = 1,232,751). There was a greater than two-fold increase in AD risk in the poor oral health cohort compared to the normal oral health group (risk ratio (RR): 2.363, (95% confidence interval: 2.326, 2.401)). To reduce potential bias, we performed retrospective propensity score matching for age, gender, and multiple laboratory measures. After matching, the cohorts had no significant differences in survival probability. Furthermore, when comparing multiple oral conditions, diseases related to tooth loss were the most significant risk factor for AD (RR: 3.186, (95% CI: 3.007, 3.376)). Our results suggest that oral health may be important in AD risk, regardless of age, gender, or laboratory measures. However, more large-scale cohort studies are necessary to validate these findings and further evaluate links between oral health and AD.

Prevalence, correlates and treatment needs of dental caries in patients attending a diabetic clinic in rural southwestern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a complex heterogeneous metabolic disorder known to lead to several pathogenic disorders, and has a bidirectional relationship with oral health conditions. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence, treatment needs and correlates of dental caries among adult patients attending a diabetic clinic in Uganda.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that used questionnaires to collect data on socio-demographic factors, diabetes history, oral health status, dental health care, dietary factors, lifestyle factors, and dental examination guided by the modified World Health Organization oral health questionnaire for adults.

RESULTS

We enrolled 239 participants, prevalence of dental caries was 71.6%, treatment need was nearly 100%, and mean DMFT was 3.82 (SD = 5.46). Dental caries experience was associated with being widowed.

CONCLUSION

We found a high prevalence of dental caries experience and large treatment need among our participants. We recommend integration of oral health care into routine diabetic services in rural sub Saharan Africa.

Dysbiosis of Oral Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Several previous studies have shown that oral microbial disorders may be closely related to the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, whether the function of oral microorganisms and their metabolites have changed in patients with T2DM who have not suffered from any oral diseases has not been reported. We performed metagenomic analyses and nontargeted metabolic analysis of saliva and supragingival plaque samples from patients with T2DM who have not suffered any oral diseases and normal controls. We found that periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella melaninogenica were significantly enriched, while the abundances of dental caries pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were not significantly different in patients with T2DM compared to those in normal controls. Metabolomic analyses showed that the salivary levels of cadaverine and L-(+)-leucine of patients with T2DM were significantly higher than those of normal controls, while the supragingival plaque levels of N-acetyldopamine and 3,4-dimethylbenzoic acid in patients with T2DM were significantly higher than those in the normal controls. Additionally, we identified the types of oral microorganisms related to the changes in the levels of circulating metabolites, and the oral microorganisms were involved in the dysregulation of harmful metabolites such as cadaverine and n, n-dimethylarginine. Overall, our study first described the changes in the composition of oral microorganisms and their metabolites in patients with T2DM who have not suffered any oral diseases, which will provide a direct basis for finding oral biomarkers for early warning of oral diseases in T2DM. IMPORTANCE The incidence of oral diseases in type 2 diabetic patients might increase, and the severity might also be more serious. At present, the relationship between oral microorganisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a hot topic in systemic health research. However, whether the function of oral microorganisms and their metabolites have changed in patients with T2DM who have not suffered from any oral diseases has not been reported. We found that even if the oral condition of T2DM is healthy, their oral microbes and metabolites have changed, thus increasing the risk of periodontal disease. Our study first described the changes in the composition of oral microorganisms and their metabolites in T2DM who have not suffered any oral diseases and revealed the correlation between oral microorganisms and their metabolites, which will provide a direct basis for finding oral biomarkers for early warning of oral diseases in patients with T2DM.

Association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and tooth loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have assessed the relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and tooth loss; however, results have been inconsistent. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was designed to examine the association between T2D and tooth loss.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guideline. We searched all the relevant studies in international databases of Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google scholar search engine until February 2022. The heterogeneity of the studies was calculated using the I2 index. Measure of effect and 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted from each study. The results of the study were analyzed using the random effects model.

RESULTS

In the present study, 22 eligible studies were included. Meta-analysis of unadjusted and adjusted results showed that T2D significantly increased the risk of tooth loss, and Odds Ratio (OR) unadjusted was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.62-2.13, p < 0.001), and OR adjusted was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.10-1.30, p < 0.001), respectively. Subgroup analysis based on study design for adjusted OR indicated that in the cohort study (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.07-1.51), in the cross-sectional study (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.23), and in the case-control study (OR: 5.10, 95% CI: 1.01-9.18) there was a significant association between T2D and tooth loss. Other subgroups analyses showed consistent results and no publication bias existed.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that T2D is associated with increased risk of tooth loss. This conclusion may provide useful evidence for correlated clinical researches.

Screening for a Decreased Masticatory Function by a Color-changeable Chewing Gum Test in Patients with Metabolic Disease

Objective This study aimed to reveal the screening performance of a color-changeable chewing gum test for a decreased masticatory function in the assessment of oral hypofunction in patients with metabolic diseases. Methods We analyzed 1,000 patients with metabolic diseases, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia. A decreased masticatory function was diagnosed by a gummy jelly test. Patients were asked to chew a test gum, which changed from green to red by thorough mastication, 60 times for 1 minute. The color change was visually evaluated using the color scale, from 1 (green-dominant) to 10 points (red-dominant), and was colorimetrically quantified as delta E in the L*a*b* color space. The screening performance for a decreased masticatory function was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results Seventy-seven patients (7.7%) were diagnosed with a decreased masticatory function. The mean color scale and delta E of the gum test were 6.7±1.8 points and 42.9±6.7 units, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.822 (95% confidence interval, 0.768-0.872) for the color scale and 0.838 (0.781-0.890) for delta E (p=0.41). The optimal cut-off point of the color scale was 5.5 (5.0-6.5) points, whereas that of delta E was 37.7 (35.5-38.8) units. The optimal cut-off points were not significantly different between the subgroups divided by clinical characteristics. Conclusions A color-changeable chewing gum test using the color scale as well as delta E would be a useful tool for screening patients with metabolic diseases for a decreased masticatory function in the assessment of oral hypofunction.