Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes

Periodontal inflammation is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) through systemic inflammation, which generally accompanies the metabolic disorder summarized under the term metabolic syndrome. The relationship between periodontitis and T2DM is bidirectional - inflammation worsens the diabetic disorder, and diabetes increases the prevalence and course of inflammation. Weight reduction has a long-term beneficial effect on the course of periodontitis. In a group of 50 patients with T2DM, we demonstrated a correlation between the presence or severity of periodontitis and baseline of blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. No correlation was found between presence/severity and relative body weight. In a control group of 50 individuals under the care of a general practitioner of the same age, we found a dependence between the presence or severity of periodontitis and the values of blood glucose, HbA1c, and relative body weight. Questions about periodontitis should be part of the medical history during preventive examinations at the general practitioner's office; patients with periodontitis should be considered at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The general practitioner should also guide diabetic patients to dental care for periodontitis with the aim of reducing the risk of T2DM and improving the management of already existing T2DM.