Periodontal condition in diabetics in Belgrade

Background/Aim. Diabetes mellitus (DM) as a complex metabolic disease influences functioning of numerous organs. Therefore, frequent diabetic complication is chronic periodontitis. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of various risk factors, like age, sex, duration of DM, oral hygiene, on oral manifestations of diabetes. Methods. The group of diabetics included 52 adult patients, 18-79-year of age, both sexes (33 females, 19 males) Out of which 35 patients were with diabetes mellitus type I and 17 with type II. Mean age of the patients was 54.6 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 11.1 years. The controls consited of 67 volunteers from the city of Belgrade, 19-24-year of age, both sexes (47 females, 20 males) with no paradonthopathy and non-systemic diseases. Estimation of periodontal status of the patients was performed by measuring dental plaque index, gingival index and periodontal pockets' depth. Results. The results suggest an increased incidence and severity of periodontitis in diabetic patients. It was established that duration of diabetes, patients' age and bad oral hygiene had a negative influence on status of remained teeth in diabetics, while the sex had no influence on parameters monitored. Conclusion. Indices of oral hygiene level and periodontal status (dental plaque index, gingival index and periodontal pockets' depth) were significantly worsened in patients with diabetes. Negative influence on remained teeth had patients' age (>50 years), duration of diabetes (> 20 years) and bad oral hygiene. About half of the patients had a total or partial bridge suggesting that periodontitis is significant complication of diabetes mellitus.