Diabetic and cardiovascular risk in patients diagnosed with periodontitis

There are well-established associations between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The literature suggests a reciprocal relationship between periodontitis and diabetes. This pilot study aimed to measure in individuals with moderate to severe periodontitis their diabetes and CVD risks.

Participants with a diagnosis of periodontitis were recruited from the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. Casual blood glucose (CBG), total cholesterol (TC), HbA1c, blood pressure (BP), weight and height were measured for all study participants.

Forty-two participants enrolled in our study out of 159 that were approached [mean age 51.3, 26 (61.9%) females]. Twenty-four (57.1%) patients were undiagnosed pre-diabetic and had an HbA1c of ≥5.7; three (7.15%) patients were undiagnosed diabetic with an HbA1c of ≥6.5. Fourteen (33.3%) patients were hypertensive (BP ≥140/90 mmHg) and 17 (40.5%) had hypercholesterolaemia (TC ≥5.5). Twelve (28.6%) patients were smokers and 24 (57.1%) had a blood mass index (BMI) above 25. Twenty-four (57.1%) patients were referred to their general practitioner due to elevated disease markers.

This small study found a large proportion of patients with periodontitis had undiagnosed pre-diabetes or diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and elevated BMI levels.