Abstract
Objectives The study investigates whether periodontal parameters can identify subjects with
undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) or pre-DM in patients seeking dental treatment
at a university dental hospital.
Materials and Methods Adults older than 35 years, not being diagnosed with DM before and have at least
one of the risk factors of DM were included in the study. All subjects received a
complete periodontal examination, filled a medical history survey, and a fasting blood
glucose measurement was obtained. A multiple logistic regression test using a backward
elimination method to assess factors that predict if the participant is healthy, prediabetic
or diabetic was done. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Results A total of 61 subjects were enrolled with an average age of 42.9 ± 9.4 years. Having
a family member diagnosed with DM was reported by 64.5% of the subjects; 59% were
diagnosed with advanced periodontal disease. The final logistic regression model included
smoking, hypertension, family history of DM, and percentage of clinical attachment
loss >3 mm was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The model explained 47.7% of the diabetes condition and correctly classified
69.4% of cases. Participants with a family history of diabetes are 4.98 times more
likely to exhibit prediabetic or diabetic status. Each unit increase in the percentage
of clinical attachment loss increases the likelihood of participant to be prediabetic
or diabetic by 1.104 times.
Conclusion Dental patients presenting with severe clinical attachment loss and family history
of DM have increased likelihood of undiagnosed DM or pre-DM and would benefit from
screening at the dental office.
Keywords
diabetes mellitus - oral health - periodontal disease - clinical attachment loss
