Periodontal health in type 2 diabetics

Background: Periodontitis has been reported as the sixth complication of diabetes in addition to other microvascular and macrovascular complications. Prevention and management of periodontitis is an important component in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and physicians treating patients with DM should be alert to recognize the signs of severe periodontitis and refer patients for appropriate management. The aim of this study was to estimate and to compare the periodontal status in diabetics and non-diabetics. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 adults, 100 with type 2 diabetes and 50 without diabetes (control subjects), aged 40-60 years, participated in the study. Diabetic status was determined by estimation of random non-fasting plasma glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Periodontal health was assessed by simplified-oral hygiene index (OHI-S), Loe and Silness gingival index (GI) and community periodontal index (CPI). The data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher exact test, analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The mean GI, mean OHI and mean CPI score were significantly higher in diabetics than non-diabetics. However, mean OHI was similar in controlled diabetics and non-diabetics. Mean CPI score was significantly increased in controlled diabetics compared to uncontrolled diabetics. Conclusion: Gingivitis, poor oral hygiene and periodontitis were more prevalent in diabetics compared to non-diabetics. Presence of poor periodontal health in diabetics, in spite of similar oral hygiene measures suggest the possibility of altered host response in periodontal tissues in these patients.