Oral Hygiene and Periodontal Health in Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Objectives: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been reported as a risk factor for periodontal disease although no data exist on the extent or severity of periodontal diseases in T1DM patients in the north-east of England.  The objective of this pilot study was to assess plaque control and periodontal status in T1DM patients. 

Methods:  Young adults (aged 16-35 years) with a diagnosis of T1DM were recruited.  A full periodontal clinical examination was undertaken, supplemented with radiographs as indicated, and the periodontal diagnosis reached using well documented diagnostic criteria.  The Lobene modified Gingival Index (mGI), the Silness and Loe Plaque index (PI), and percent bleeding on probing (%BoP) were recorded at 6 sites per tooth.

Results: Data for 44 T1DM patients are reported.  The mean (±SD) age was 28.6±4.9 years, 8 patients were smokers and 20 patients were male.  Only 6 patients (13.6%) were identified as being periodontally healthy.  Gingivitis was diagnosed in 22 patients (50%) and chronic periodontitis (CP) in 4 patients (9.1%).  Aggressive periodontitis (AP) was recorded in 12 patients (including 2 smokers), representing 27.3% of patients screened at this stage.

Mean (±SD) mGI, PI and % BoP scores are below.  For all parameters, healthy patients had significantly lower scores compared to the other groups.

	Health	Gingivitis	CP	AP	p
Mean mGI	0.38±0.43	1.51±0.47	1.70±0.46	2.06±0.56	<0.001
Mean PI	0.20±0.15	0.96±0.42	1.02±0.31	1.03±0.66	<0.01
Mean %BoP	9.83±5.27	35.86±12.66	37.75±13.79	56.58±17.69	<0.001

Conclusion: From this preliminary report it can be concluded that in north-east England, periodontal health in young adults with T1DM is poor and the prevalence of AP (27.3%) is far greater than that reported in the wider UK adult population (0.5%).

Supported by a grant from Newcastle Hospitals Healthcare Charity