Abstract / Summary
Aim: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes show a bidirectional relationship. This pilot study investigated the possible association between glycemic control and periodontal status in people with type 2 diabetes without periodontal treatment.
Materials and methods: People with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c-value ≥ 8.0 %) received intensified antihyperglycemic therapy. Periodontal and metabolic parameters were assessed at baseline (T1) and after three months (T2). No dental prophylaxis or subgingival instrumentation was performed. Clinical assessment included pocket probing depths (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI). Primary outcome parameter was PISA. Patients' oral health-related quality of life was assessed with the OHIP-G 14 questionnaire.
Results: A significant reduction of HbA1c from average 9.3 % to 8.2 % after 3.8 ± 1.1 months resulted in significant reductions of PISA and BOP (p=0.001; p=0.001). Higher HbA1c values were significantly associated with higher PISA (p=0.006) and BOP values (p=0.026). No significant change was observed in OHIP-G14 scores.
Conclusion: This study suggests that improved glycemic control may be associated with reduced periodontal inflammation (BOP, PISA), even without periodontal therapy. These findings support the importance of good glycemic control for periodontal health in people with type 2 diabetes. Given the exploratory nature of this study, these findings require cautious interpretation and confirmation in larger prospective studies.