Glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus affects periodontal health but not salivary status: An observational study.

Aim: The aim of this observational study was to assess the periodontal and salivary status of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Materials and methods: Thirty patients were divided into a test group (DM1G - T1DM, n = 15) and a control group (CG - normoglycemic, n = 15). Periodontal clinical parameters were evaluated using probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and plaque index (PI). Salivary tests assessed pH, buffering capacity, salivary glucose, and peroxidase activity. Capillary blood glucose was recorded for all patients, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured only for patients with T1DM. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient (P < 0.05).

Results: The results showed significantly higher PI and BOP values in DM1G (P < 0.01). Positive correlations were found between HbA1c, PI, and BOP (P < 0.01). Capillary blood glucose levels differed between groups (P < 0.01). Positive correlations between capillary blood glucose, PD, and CAL were found only in the CG (P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed between the groups for salivary parameters (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Patients with T1DM exhibit poorer periodontal conditions compared to normoglycemic individuals, although no significant differences were found in salivary parameters between the two groups.