Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Might Suffer Tooth Loss, Finds Study

In this systemic review, the researchers searchers MEDLINE‐PubMed and Cochrane databases for papers that primarily evaluate the number of teeth in DM patients compared to non‐DM individuals. They generated a total of 1.087 references and included 10 eligible publications. They conducted a descriptive analysis of the selected studies and performed meta-analysis when feasible.

Key findings of the study were:

• Upon descriptive analysis, they found that 6 studies demonstrated a significantly higher risk of tooth loss in DM patients which was confirmed by the meta‐analysis risk ratio of 1.63 95%CI(1.33;2.00,p<0.00001).
• Upon subgroup analysis, they found a higher risk of tooth loss in DM patients was also higher when only DM type II patients or studies with a cross‐sectional design.
• They noted that the patients with a poor DM control status had a significantly increased risk of tooth loss.
• Upon separating the data by the world continent, where the study was performed, they observed that Asia and South America had numerically higher risks and a 95%CI that did not overlap with Europe and North America.

The authors concluded, "There is moderate certainty for a small but significantly higher risk of tooth loss in DM patients as compared to those without DM."

For further information:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/idh.12512