Immunoglobulins in the saliva of diabetic patients with periodontitis.

The study was conducted to estimate the concentration of immunoglobulins in the saliva of diabetic and nondiabetic patients with periodontitis. The salivary immunoglobulins G, A and M (IgG, IgA, IgM) were determined in 50 patients with type II or noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 50 non diabetic patients with periodontitis. The values were compared with that of 50 age and sex matched controls. IgG, IgA were found to be significantly increased in diabetic patients with periodontitis, compared to nondiabetic patients and controls. Though an increase in IgM was found in diabetic patients it was not significant. The altered immune response observed may be due to the response to a greater antigenic challenge which in turn may be responsible for the increased incidence of periodontitis in diabetic patients. Further studies in this field may help to establish this association.