Frequency of odontogenic periradicular lesions in diabetic patients

Abstract Background: Diabetic patients are more prone to oral infections and periradicular lesions due to changes in their immune system and qualitative and quantitative changes in normal flora of their mouth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of periradicular lesions in diabetic patients in Babol, North of Iran. Methods: From October 2011 to March 2012, 135 diabetic patients who referred to the Iranian Diabetes Society - Babol Branch and Endocrinology Clinic of Babol University of Medical Sciences were studied. The demographic features as well as the duration of the diagnosis of diabetes (> 48 months was called long term and < 48 months short term) is the quality of control of their diabetes. For all the patients, panoramic and periapical radiography were performed for the presence of any radicular radiolucent lesions. Vitality test has been done for the recorded teeth except for the root treated ones and periodontal involvement necrotic teeth. The data were collected and analyzed. Results: Periradicular lesions were seen on 90.37% of the patients. The frequency of periradicular lesions in long term patients was 85 (94.4%) and in short term was 37 (82.2%) (p=0.023). The mean of teeth with periradicular lesions in long and short term diabetic patients was 2.63±2.23 and 2.11±1.79, respectively (p=0.174). Conclusion: The results show that the frequency of periradicular lesions in diabetic patients is higher in long-term diabetic patients than the short-term diabetic patients.