Empirical role of salivary parameters in diagnosis of type ii diabetes mellitus – “a case control study”

Background: Diabetes mellitus a chronic disorder, poses a major health problem today. In diabetes, there is a considerable alteration in the composition of saliva, these alterations can be analysed and possibly evaluated in early detection of diabetes. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to determine and compare the serum and salivary glucose levels, salivary amylase and total salivary protein concentrations, and to determine if salivary analytes can be a biomarker in detection of diabetes. Materials and methods: The present study includes a total of 80 individuals, with 40 type 2 diabetics and 40 age matched healthy controls. Diabetic status was assessed by random blood glucose levels. Unstimulated saliva from groups I and II was collected from each participant and analysed for glucose, amylase and total protein levels. Serum and Salivary glucose estimation was performed using glucose-oxidase end point assay method, amylase by direct substrate kinetic enzymatic method and total protein by pyrogallol red dye method. Results: A significantly higher salivary glucose (5.823 ± 2.035 mg/dl), salivary amylase (370.3 ± 243 u/l) and lower total proteins (73.4 ± 26.3 mg/dl) were observed in type 2 diabetics compared to salivary glucose ((1.1 ± 0.4409 mg/dl)), salivary amylase (128.8± 54.93 u/l) and higher total proteins (92.46 ± 25.17 mg/dl) in controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that diabetes influences the composition of saliva and also suggests that salivary analytes can be used as a diagnostic tool in the early detection of diabetes.