Diabetic complications associated with poor oral hygiene

This study was published in the science journal BMJ Open and is based on national registration data. The study includes more than 800,000 individuals, making it the biggest ever to date to assess the link between diabetes and periodontitis (gingival disease). It is also the first study involving individuals with type 1 diabetes. Researchers use data from several Swedish health registrations, including the National Diabetes Registry.

More frequent periodontitis

It was found that patients with type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of developing periodontitis. 22% received this diagnosis, compared to 17% in the control group. It was particularly risky among younger people with type 2 diabetes, almost doubled when compared to their non-diabetic peers. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the association was only clear in poor glycemic control groups.

“Our results highlight that it is not just the diabetes diagnosis itself that affects the risk of developing periodontitis. The main driver is poorly controlled with blood sugar. Young people with type 2 diabetes In this article, we saw almost twice as much risk. This is a clear warning signal,” said a doctoral student at the Institute of Dental Sciences and one of the researchers behind the study. says Anna Trullenque Eriksson.

The importance of good blood glucose control

This study shows that periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of diabetic complications, including damage to the eyes and kidneys. People with type 1 diabetes and poor glycemic control were at a 14% higher risk of developing kidney damage if they also suffer from periodontitis, and the same pattern was observed for eye damage. In people with type 2 diabetes, the risk of these complications was approximately 9% higher in the presence of periodontal disease.

“This is an important signal for both providers and patients. Good oral health is part of a strategy to reduce the risk of severe diabetic complications, which is what controls blood glucose levels. It seems to be particularly important for those struggling with this,” says Anna Tullenke Erikson.

In this study, periodontitis was not associated with increased mortality in people with stroke, cardiovascular disease, or type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

article: Association with periodontitis and diabetes-related complications in diabetic patients. Register-based cohort studies. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087557