Type 1 diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease: relationship to different clinical variables.

OBJECTIVE This study is designed to evaluate the frequency of periodontal disease in a group of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and how this relates with diabetes metabolic control, duration of diabetes, and presence of diabetic complications. METHODS A comparison was made of periodontal parameters (plaque index, bleeding index, pocket depth and attachment loss) in a group of diabetic patients (n=90) versus a group of non-diabetics (n=90). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate relationship between periodontal parameters and degree of metabolic control, the duration of the disease, and the appearance of complications. RESULTS Diabetics had greater bleeding index (p< 0.01), deeper periodontal pockets (p< 0.01) and more periodontal attachment loss (p< 0.01) than non-diabetics. Deficient metabolic control and presence of diabetic complication were associated with higher bleeding index and pocket depth (p<or= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Patients with type 1 diabetes appear to show increased periodontal disease susceptibility, particularly those with poorer metabolic control or with diabetic complications.