Periodontal disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus: associations with glycemic control and complications: an Indian perspective

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the frequency of periodontal disease in a group of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its relationship with diabetic metabolic control, duration and complications.

Materials and methods: A comparison was made of periodontal parameters (plaque index, bleeding index, pocket depth and attachment loss) in a group of diabetic patients versus a group of non-diabetics (n=20). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal parameters and degree of metabolic control, the duration of the disease and the appearance of complications.

Results: Diabetics had greater bleeding index (p<0.001), probing pocket depth (p<0.001) and clinical attachment level (p=0.001). Patients diagnosed for diabetes for shorter duration of time (4-7 years) showed bleeding index-disease severity correlation to be 1.760 ± 0.434.

Conclusion: Patients with type 1 diabetes have increased periodontal disease susceptibility. Periodontal inflammation is greatly increased in subjects with longer disease course, poor metabolic control and diabetic complications.