HbA1c levels are positively correlated with periodontitis severity before diabetes onset: Study

Italy: Before diabetes onset, HbA1c levels are positively associated with the severity of periodontitis, a recent study in Clinical Oral Investigations has found. 

Periodontitis (also called gum disease) is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and if left untreated can destroy the bone that supports teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.

The objective of the cross-sectional study conducted by Gaetano Isola, University of Catania, Catania, Italy, and colleagues was to investigate the association between serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and periodontal status in patients with periodontitis (CP) and periodontally healthy controls. The researchers also determined if periodontitis influenced the serum HbA1c levels.

For this purpose, the researchers enrolled a total of 93 patients with CP and 95 periodontally healthy subjects using a cross-sectional design. The patients were examined at baseline and characterized on a regular basis for blood serum parameters and non-fasting blood sample levels. A full periodontal examination was performed on all patients. Clinical attachment loss (CAL) was the primary outcome variable chosen. In order to assess the relationship between HbA1c levels and periodontitis, the spearman correlation, a stepwise multivariable linear regression, and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests were applied. 

The researchers wrote, "patients with CP and undiagnosed diabetes presented significantly higher serum levels of HbA1c compared to periodontally healthy controls."

"The presence of periodontitis was positively correlated with serum HbA1c levels before diabetes onset," they concluded. 

Reference:

Isola, G., Matarese, G., Ramaglia, L. et al. Association between periodontitis and glycosylated haemoglobin before diabetes onset: a cross-sectional study. Clin Oral Invest 24, 2799–2808 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-019-03143-0