Related Experiment Videos
Oral health in rural South African type 2 diabetic patients
Thabit Peck1, Caroline Price, Paddy English
1Hlabisa Hospital, KwazuluNatal, South Africa.
Abstract:
Diabetes increases the risk of periodontal disease, but information from the tropics is lacking, and the relationship between periodontal disease and glycaemic control is uncertain. We examined 23 type 2 diabetic patients in a rural and resource-poor area of South Africa. Mean age was 59 +/- 10 (1SD) years, and diabetes duration 6 +/- 6 years. In all,11 were 'well controlled' (glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) < 8.0%, mean 6.5%), and 12 'poorly controlled' (HbA1c > 8.0%, mean 13.0%). Periodontal disease was more common in the poorly controlled group (42% versus 18%, P < 0.002). We conclude that dental health is poor in type 2 diabetic patients in rural Africa, and that periodontal disease is closely related to glycaemic control. Improved dental and diabetes care is needed in such communities.
Related Concept Videos
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Diabetic Retinopathy
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction