Periodontal disease including gingivitis and periodontitis were examined in 147 diabetic patients and 75 non-diabetic subjects. Periodontal disease was assessed by the evaluation of 4 oral cavity examinations: Bleeding Index (BI), Periotron Value (PT), Pocket Depth (PD) and Plaque Control Record (PCR).
Diabetic patients had lost more of their teeth than non-diabetic subjects (p<0.01). Also BI, PT and PD in diabetic patients were significantly elevated compared to those in age-and PCRmatched non-diabetics (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01), respectively. In poorly controlled diabetics, BI and PT were evidently elevated in comparison with those in well cotrolled diabetics. Progression of periodontal disease may tend to occur in patients with microangiopathy, such as retinopathy, and with a relatively prolonged duration of diabetes.
Worsening of periodontal disease in diabetic patients could be prevented by both oral cleaning and good metabolic control of diabetes, particularly diabetic blood glucose control.