Determinants of Chronic Periodontitis among Diabetes Mellitus patients, attending Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. Lagos.

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with chronic periodontal disease among diabetic patients.

 Design: Cross sectional study.

Study subjects and methods: Diabetes mellitus patients attending the Diabetic clinic of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital participated in the study. Data collection was done using a self-administered, structured questionnaire and the oral examination was done according to the WHO 1987 Oral Health Surveys. Levels of fasting blood glucose were recorded. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis; level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: 157 diabetic patients aged 28 to 85 years participated in the study of which 63.7% were females. The prevalence of periodontal disease among the participants was 82.8% (gingivitis 44.6% and periodontitis 38.2%).  Significant risk factors for periodontitis were age, gender and oral hygiene practice. Periodontitis was higher in participants ≥65 years old than the participants <65 years old (p=0.004).   Periodontitis was significantly higher in males than in females (p=0.014).

Conclusion:  The results of this study indicate that age, sex and oral health behavior are risk indicators of periodontitis in these diabetic participants. The study suggests that an increased age, being male and engaging in poor oral health practice increases the risk of periodontitis in participants with diabetes