Salivary alterations in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
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Published on: March 1, 2024
M A Belazi1, A Galli-Tsinopoulou, D Drakoulakos
1Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Medicine/Pathology, Greece.
Insights
Children with new insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) show higher glucose levels in saliva and serum. Salivary composition changes may aid early IDDM diagnosis in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) diagnosis in children requires careful monitoring.
- Saliva and serum biomarkers offer potential for early disease detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare salivary and serum glucose, protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin levels in newly diagnosed pediatric IDDM patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the diagnostic potential of salivary composition in early-stage IDDM.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 10 children with newly diagnosed IDDM (aged 4-15) and 10 healthy controls (aged 5-17).
- Unstimulated whole saliva and serum samples were collected for analysis of glucose, total proteins, albumin, IgA, and IgG.
- Clinical examinations were performed prior to sample collection.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in salivary flow rate between IDDM patients and controls.
- Significantly elevated glucose concentrations in both saliva and serum of children with IDDM.
- Higher salivary IgA and serum IgG concentrations were observed in the IDDM group.
- Total protein and albumin levels did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated salivary and serum glucose levels are characteristic of newly diagnosed pediatric IDDM.
- Changes in salivary composition, including glucose and IgA, may assist in the early diagnosis of IDDM in children.
- Further research is warranted to validate the diagnostic utility of salivary biomarkers for pediatric IDDM.
Objectives:
To examine the flow rate and composition of unstimulated whole saliva and of serum in children with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and to compare these with values for a group of healthy controls.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Setting:
Diabetic Department of a University Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Subjects And Methods:
The test group was made up of 10 recently diagnosed child patients with IDDM, aged 4-15 years and free of other systemic disease. Ten healthy children aged 5-17 years served as controls. Children were clinically examined before unstimulated saliva was collected over a 5 minute period and blood samples taken. Saliva and serum measurements included glucose, total proteins, albumin and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG).
Results:
No significant difference was seen in salivary flow rate between the two groups. Significantly greater concentrations of glucose were seen in saliva and serum in children with IDDM. Neither total protein nor albumin differed significantly between the two groups. Salivary IgA concentration was higher in the test group as was serum IgG.
Conclusions:
Findings in this sample suggest that changes in salivary composition may, together with estimated glucose levels, play a helpful diagnostic role in the early stages of IDDM in some children.
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