Caries risk assessment as a predictor of metabolic control in young Type 1 diabetics

To investigate the relationship between caries risk and glucosylated haemoglobin and to evaluate the use of a computerized caries risk assessment program as a predictor of metabolic control in schoolchildren with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The material consisted of 64 young Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients (8-16 years) attending an outpatient paediatric clinic. Within 2 weeks after the onset of diabetes, a caries risk assessment was carried out with the aid of a computer-based program (Cariogram) and data on the level of metabolic control were collected from the medical records at the 3-year check-up. Caries increment was registered at recall clinical examinations.

A statistically significant positive relationship between caries risk and metabolic control was found (r = 0.51; P < 0.01), with a sevenfold increased risk of impaired metabolic control after 3 years in those assessed with high caries risk at onset (OR 7.3; P < 0.01). When the Cariogram was used as a predictor for the metabolic state of the disease, the sensitivity and specificity was 75% and 71%, respectively. The negative predictive value was 91%.

Our data suggested that a caries risk assessment at the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in children may be a good indicator of overall health care that can provide useful prognostic information on the level of metabolic control after 3 years.