[Periodontal health status in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1, from 18 to 30 years-old, from Santiago de Chile].

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of periodontal diseases, gingivitis and periodontitis, is higher in diabetic patients and can have severe functional and esthetic consequences early in their lives.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence of periodontal disease in type 1 diabetics, aged between 18 and 30 years old, living in Santiago de Chile.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

One hundred male and female type 1 diabetics were examined. Glycated hemoglobin A1c, microalbuminuria, and fundoscopy were assessed in a sample of 52 subjects, separated in two groups according to the presence of periodontal disease.

RESULTS

The prevalence of gingivitis was 22%, periodontitis 41%. Only 37% of subjects were free of periodontal disease. When compared with patients without periodontal disease, in the group of patients with the disease there was a higher proportion of subjects with diabetes lasting more than 10 years (28 and 55% respectively) and a higher proportion of patients with chronic complications of diabetes (42 and 58% respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of periodontal diseases was observed in this sample of diabetic patients. A long history of diabetes and the presence of chronic complications were risk factors for these diseases in the analyzed sample.