Association between periodontitis and diabetes

Background + Aims

• Periodontal disease affects oral health, causing inflammation and damage to the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. It is influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors, particularly in vulnerable populations. The Kiriri community faces limited access to dental services and essential hygiene products due to isolation, economic hardship, and cultural practices.
• Prior to this research, no comprehensive epidemiological data on periodontal disease in this population were available. By examining this unique community, the study seeks to highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to improve oral health outcomes.
• This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of periodontitis among adult Kiriri Indians, an Indigenous group in Northeast Brazil.

Materials + Methods

• The study used a cross-sectional design and examined 215 adult Kiriri Indians (≥19 years old) living in an isolated rural community.
• Participants underwent full-mouth periodontal examinations, assessing probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) at 6 sites per tooth, excluding third molars.
• Fasting blood glucose tests determined diabetes status.
• Data on demographics, socioeconomic status, smoking habits, and education were collected via structured interviews.
• Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and logistic regression to identify risk factors associated with destructive periodontitis (moderate and severe cases). Odds ratios (ORs) were used to describe the association.

Results

• Prevalence of periodontitis:
  • Moderate: 11%
  • Severe: 29%
• Prevalence of CAL was high:
  • ≥3 mm: 98%
  • ≥5 mm: 64%
  • ≥7 mm: 31%
• Multivariate analyses revealed the following risk factors to be associated with an increased risk of moderate – severe periodontitis:
  • Age ≥35 years (OR: 5.83).
  • Male gender (OR: 2.18).
  • Diabetes (OR: 3.92).
• Smoking habits and low socioeconomic status showed no significant associations with periodontitis, possibly due to the uniform low income and light smoking habits within the community.
• Despite high prevalence, the severity and extent of advanced disease were limited.

Limitations