Dose-response relationship between periodontal inflamed surface area and HbA1c in type 2 diabetics.

BACKGROUND

A dose-response relationship between the amount of inflamed periodontal tissue and HbA1c level, might be indicative for a causal association between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes.

AIM

To assess a dose-response relationship between the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), as a measure of the amount of inflamed periodontal tissue, and HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty consecutive dentate type 2 diabetics attending their general practitioner for regular check-up, underwent full-mouth probing pocket depth and bleeding on probing assessment. From these data PISA was calculated. HbA1c levels were retrieved from patients' medical files. The dose-response relationship between PISA and HbA1c levels was assessed using multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for factors that might influence PISA or HbA1c levels.

RESULTS

The higher the PISA of type 2 diabetics was, the higher their HbA1c levels were. On a group level, an increase of PISA with 333 mm(2) was associated with a 1.0 percentage point increase of HbA1c, independent of the influence of other factors.

CONCLUSION

On a group level, there is a dose-response relationship between PISA and HbA1c in type 2 diabetics. This might be an indication of a causal relationship between type 2 diabetes and periodontitis.