The Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus And Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinical Correlation Study
Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, chronic periodontitis, HbA1c, inflammation, periodontal parameters, glycemic control..Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic periodontitis (CP) are two chronic inflammatory conditions that share common pathophysiological mechanisms, including immune dysregulation and oxidative stress. Poor glycemic control has been shown to exacerbate periodontal tissue destruction, while periodontitis may, in turn, worsen glycemic regulation.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between glycemic control and periodontal health status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: A total of 90 subjects aged 35–65 years were enrolled and divided into three groups: healthy controls (n=30), diabetic patients with good glycemic control (HbA1c <7%, n=30), and diabetic patients with poor control (HbA1c ≥7%, n=30). Periodontal parameters including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were recorded. Laboratory analysis included fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Correlation between HbA1c and periodontal parameters was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: Mean HbA1c levels were 5.4 ± 0.4% in controls, 6.3 ± 0.3% in well-controlled diabetics, and 8.9 ± 0.8% in poorly controlled diabetics. There was a significant increase in PI, GI, PPD, and CAL with worsening glycemic control (p<0.001). A strong positive correlation was found between HbA1c and CAL (r = 0.68, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The severity of chronic periodontitis increases with poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Regular periodontal care and glycemic management are essential to minimize mutual disease progression.
