Correlation between salivary glucose level and gingivitis in patients with diabetes

ABSTRACT

Type 1 Diabetes has been linked with an increased risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Patients with periodontal disease and/or diabetes show differences in the profile of constituents in whole saliva. This profile reflects the nature and amplitude of the host response to a periodontal microbial challenge and /or response to diabetes mellitus. To compare gingival health between control group and patients with type I Diabetes and to assess whether there is any association between gingivitis/periodontitis and salivary glucose level. Study was conducted on 90 subjects; 30 control and 60 diabetics. Gingival and periodontal status was assessed for both the groups clinically. Then un-stimulated whole saliva samples from diabetics and control group were collected stored and frozen at -20°C. Saliva samples were then thawed, centrifuged and its supernatant portion was analyzed by Dimension Clinical Chemistry System for Salivary glucose levels. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results showed that gingivitis was statistically significantly higher among the type I diabetic patients when compared with the control group p < 0.05. It was concluded that gingival health was compromised in diabetic children. It was also concluded that salivary glucose levels were higher in the patients with type I as compared to control group