Association of periodontal diseases with inflammatory markers and gestational diabetes: a case-control study

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication that may trigger systemic inflammatory responses and potentially affect oral health. However, studies that simultaneously evaluate both systemic and oral health parameters in individuals with GDM remain scarce in the current literature. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal oral health, hematological inflammatory markers, and GDM.

This case-control study included 40 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM and 40 healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Maternal sociodemographic and clinical data, along with blood parameters, were obtained from medical records. Oral health was assessed using the Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), and the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and hierarchical binomial logistic regression. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

PI, GI, and PD scores were significantly higher, and DMFT scores were significantly elevated in the GDM group compared to controls (p < 0.01 and p = 0.007, respectively), indicating greater periodontal inflammation and poorer overall oral health. Among the inflammatory markers, only eosinophil levels were significantly lower in the GDM group (p = 0.011). Logistic regression analysis identified weight gain during pregnancy as the only significant predictor of GDM (p < 0.05, OR = 1.117).

Pregnant women with GDM demonstrated significantly poorer periodontal health compared to healthy controls, suggesting a potential association between periodontal inflammation and GDM. Additionally, pregnancy weight gain was the strongest predictor of GDM, highlighting the influence of metabolic factors.