Analysis of the impact of periodontal disease management before the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus on medical costs using administrative claims database

Objective

Although periodontal disease management has been shown to reduce the medical costs of diabetes mellitus, no studies have investigated management before the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study examined the association between periodontal disease management before the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus and medical costs.

Methods

We extracted information for periodontal disease management status from Japanese medical claims and specific health check-up databases among 4010 patients with periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus aged ≥ 30 years who had continued periodontal disease management for 2 years after diabetes onset. We divided patients into two groups: those who had received periodontal disease management for 2 years before and 2 years after onset and those who had received periodontal disease management for only 2 years after the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results

The HbA1c level in patients without periodontal disease management during the year of diabetes onset improved by 0.13 % in male and 0.24% in female 2 years later, while that in the group with periodontal disease management improved by 0.49 % and 0.74%, respectively. The medical costs were significantly lower in the group with periodontal disease management 2 years later than in the group with no periodontal disease management.

Conclusions

Regular periodontal disease prevention and management under professional care before type 2 diabetes mellitus onset contribute to improved health and reduced medical costs.