Relationship Of Blood Sugar Levels And Duration Of Diabetes To The Periodontal Status Of Diabetic Nigerians

SUMMARY

Background: Adults with diabetics mellitus have been reported to be more susceptible to gingivitis and periodontitis than are healthy adults Patients and Methods: A Survey was done in a sample of 118 consecutive diabetic patients, 63 females and 55 males, who volunteered to participate in the study at the Medical Out Patient department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The objective was to assess the relationship of blood sugar levels and duration of diabetes to periodontal health status among Nigerian diabetic patients.

Results:Using Pearson correlation coefficient, there was significance at the 0.05 level (2 tailed) between Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), number of missing teeth and fasting blood sugar. There was a greater significance (0.01 level, 2 tailed) between 2 hour post prandial blood sugar level and OHI as well as to the number of missing teeth. No such statistical significance was however noticed between the blood sugar levels (fasting and 2 hours PP) and the Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI).

Conclusion: Observations suggest an inter-relationship between the status of periodontal disease and elevated blood sugar levels. The lack of correlation between blood sugar levels and bleeding index may be a result of diabetic microangiopathy. This study has therefore highlighted the importance of close monitoring of blood sugar levels among diabetic patients in order to avoid severe periodontal destruction. Niger. Med. J. 2003, Vol. 44(2):46-49.

KEY WORDS: Peridontal disease, diabetic Nigerians Blood Sugar Levels.