A growing body of research suggests a link between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. Until now however, few studies have explored how diabetes treatment without periodontal treatment affects the pathology of periodontal disease. In the current study, researchers investigated the effects of intensive glycemic control on the periodontal tissues of patients with diabetes mellitus.
To do so, they recruited 29 patients aged between 20 and 75 years old with type 2 diabetes. The patients were hospitalized and received a two-week intensive glycemic control regimen. The researchers analyzed systemic and dental indicators before and after treatment. Crucially, the patients did not receive any dental treatment throughout the study, and only received treatment for diabetes.
Ultimatley, the researchers observed significant improvement in measures of both glycemic and periodontal health. Improvements were found in glycoalbumin, a marker of blood sugar control, and PISA (Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area), suggesting reductions in blood glucose and periodontal inflammation.
The researchers further found that those with significant PISA improvement had higher pre-treatment C-peptide levels, indicating less severe diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular conditions.
"Glycaemic control treatment can effectively improve periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes, even in the absence of specific periodontal treatments. However, the periodontal responsiveness to glycaemic control treatment depends on the systemic condition of the patient," wrote the researchers in their paper.
"These research findings are expected to advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease," said senior study author Dr. Masae Kuboniwa of the Department of Preventative Dentistry at Osaka Uniersity in Japan in a press release.
"This study demonstrates that improving periodontal disease in diabetic patients requires not only periodontal treatment but also early diabetes management. We anticipate that promoting collaboration between medical and dental care from the early stages of diabetes can significantly contribute to preventing the onset and progression of periodontal disease in diabetic patients,” she added.