The assessment of periodontium in patients with uncontrolled diabetes.

PURPOSE Uncontrolled diabetes leads to disturbances of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid balance as well as morphological changes in many organs. It can be assumed that the changes can also regard the masticatory organ and thus, periodontal tissues. The aim of the study was the assessment of periodontium in patients with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c > 7%) and the comparison of the results with data obtained in the group of healthy individuals--depending on sex. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out in the group of 275 subjects: 155 hospitalized patients with uncontrolled diabetes (the examined group) and 120 healthy individuals comprising the control group. Russell's index was used for the evaluation of the periodontal condition. RESULTS The mean level of glycated hemoglobin HbA1c in patients was 9.43% in women and 9.57% in men. The mean value of Russell's index was 2.14 in the examined group and 0.99--in the controls. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION Although other authors' results are ambiguous and controversial, the theory that there is the connection between uncontrolled diabetes and periodontitis and the consequences of the coexistence of these diseases are very serious, is still maintained. CONCLUSIONS Uncontrolled diabetes was the crucial cause of periodontal changes and, to a large extent, influenced the function of the masticatory organ in patients.