Diabetes, periodontitis, and the subgingival microbiota

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have been associated with increased severity of periodontal disease for many years. More recently, the impact of periodontal disease on glycaemic control has been investigated. The role of the oral microbiota in this two-way relationship is at this stage unknown. Further studies, of a longitudinal nature and investigating a wider array of bacterial species, are required in order to conclusively determine if there is a difference in the oral microbiota of diabetics and non-diabetics and whether this difference accounts, on the one hand, for the increased severity of periodontal disease and on the other for the poorer glycaemic control seen in diabetics

Periodontitis and diabetes: a two-way relationship

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease characterised by destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth (the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone). It is highly prevalent (severe periodontitis affects 10–15% of adults) and has multiple negative impacts on quality of life. Epidemiological data confirm that diabetes is a major risk factor for periodontitis; susceptibility to periodontitis is increased by approximately threefold in people with diabetes. There is a clear relationship between degree of hyperglycaemia and severity of periodontitis. The mechanisms that underpin the links between these two conditions are not completely understood, but involve aspects of immune functioning, neutrophil activity, and cytokine biology. There is emerging evidence to support the existence of a two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontitis, with diabetes increasing the risk for periodontitis, and periodontal inflammation negatively affecting glycaemic control. Incidences of macroalbuminuria and end-stage renal disease are increased twofold and threefold, respectively, in diabetic individuals who also have severe periodontitis compared to diabetic individuals without severe periodontitis. Furthermore, the risk of cardiorenal mortality (ischaemic heart disease and diabetic nephropathy combined) is three times higher in diabetic people with severe periodontitis than in diabetic people without severe periodontitis. Treatment of periodontitis is associated with HbA1c reductions of approximately 0.4%. Oral and periodontal health should be promoted as integral components of diabetes management

A integralidade da atenção em diabéticos com doença periodontal The integrality of the attention in diabetics with periodontal disease

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar como está organizado o atendimento aos indivíduos com diabetes melito, usuários do SUS, a partir dos dados das condições periodontais apresentadas por este grupo, em Belo Horizonte (MG). Para tanto, uma amostra representativa de trezentos indivíduos foi selecionada para avaliação clínica e entrevista. Foram realizadas entrevistas também com os gerentes de unidades de saúde. Dos avaliados, 55% apresentaram gengivite, 35,3%, periodontite e 9,7% eram saudáveis. Em relação à integralidade da atenção ao diabético no SUS, pôde-se observar que, apesar da maioria estar sob acompanhamento médico, somente 27,3% estavam sob tratamento odontológico na rede básica, 3,6% recebiam atendimento especializado em odontologia e apenas 3,4% eram atendidos por outros profissionais da saúde. O atendimento interdisciplinar e a atenção em todos os níveis do sistema são fatores essenciais para a integralidade das ações em saúde.<br>The aim of this study was to evaluate the periodontal conditions of individuals with diabetes and to analyze how SUS has contributed to the health attention of these people in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State. For that, a sample of 300 individuals was selected and interviews with diabetics and health unit managers were conducted. From those, 55% presented gingivitis, 35.3% periodontitis and 9.7% were healthy. As for the integral attention for diabetics in SUS, it was observed that despite the fact that most of them were under medical supervision, only 27.3% were under dental treatment in basic health care units, 3.6% had specialized dental care and only 3.4% were seen by other health workers. Interdisciplinary care and attention in all levels of the system are essential factors for the integrality of health actions