Resolution of periodontal inflammation does not guarantee improved glycemic control in type 1 diabetic subjects

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to find out if periodontal therapy has any effect on glycemic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The periodontal health status of 65 type 1 diabetic subjects was assessed at the baseline and 8 weeks after completion of periodontal therapy. Glycemic control was assessed on both visits by measuring the percentage of glycosylated haemoglobin (GHbA1c). The change in HbA1c (DeltaHbA1c) was assessed by using both a positive or negative change >or=0.5% and any change in HbA1c. RESULTS: The mean HbA1c level (+/-SD) of the whole study group was 8.6% (+/-1.5) at the baseline and 8.5% (+/-1.5) after treatment. Glycemic control improved during the study period in 23 subjects (35%) and worsened in 18 subjects (28%). Approximately 78% of the bleeding sites and 87% of the sites with probing depth >or=4 mm presented healing. DeltaHbA1c associated significantly with baseline HbA1c but not with baseline periodontal health status or periodontal healing. CONCLUSION: Regardless of a significant resolution of periodontal infection, a great majority of the subjects did not present any improvement in their glycemic control.