Periodontal disease among diabetics in Iraq

It is generally accepted that diabetes increases the prevalence and severity of periodontitis, and is now considered the sixth "-opathy" of diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and assess their severity in a single center in Basrah, Iraq.

This was a cross-sectional, case-control study. A total of 1593 patients were included (633 diabetic patients and 960 nondiabetics as controls). Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were dentate persons aged 40 years and older and with = 6 remaining teeth were studied.

Periodontal disease was seen in 95.9% of both diabetics and controls. Concerning mild and advanced disease, there was no difference between diabetics and controls, whereas moderate disease was more prevalent in those with diabetes.

Of both the diabetics and controls, periodontal disease was seen in 95.9%. Moderate disease was significantly more common among diabetics. Larger studies, with pocket depth--attachment loss with radiologic evaluation for bone loss--are needed to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease among diabetics, other systemic disease, and the general population.