Probing depth is an independent risk factor for HbA1c levels in diabetic patients under physical training: a cross-sectional pilot-study

• Published in: BMC oral health Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 46 - 6
• Main Authors: Wernicke, Katharina, Zeissler, Sven, Mooren, Frank C., Frech, Torsten, Hellmann, Stephanie, Stiesch, Meike, Grischke, Jasmin, Linnenweber, Silvia, Schmidt, Bernhard, Menne, Jan, Melk, Anette, Bauer, Pascal, Hillebrecht, Andree, Eberhard, Jörg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 16.03.2018; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Clinical oral healthcare research; Dentistry; Diabetes mellitus type 2; Diabetics; Diagnosis; Exercise; Health aspects; Lifestyle intervention; Medicine; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Oral health; Periodontitis; Physical training; Research Article; Risk factors; Training; Type 2 diabetes; Physical training; Periodontitis; Diabetes mellitus type 2; Oral health; Lifestyle intervention
• ISSN: 1472-6831; 1472-6831
• DOI: 10.1186/s12903-018-0491-9

Background This cross-sectional study investigates the potential association between active periodontal disease and high HbA1c levels in type-2-diabetes mellitus subjects under physical training. Methods Women and men with a diagnosis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and ongoing physical and an ongoing exercise program were included. Periodontal conditions were assessed according to the CDC-AAP case definitions. Venous blood samples were collected for the quantitative analysis of HbA1c. Associations between the variables were examined with univariate and multivariate regression models. Results Forty-four subjects with a mean age of 63.4 ± 7.0 years were examined. Twenty-nine subjects had no periodontitis, 11 had a moderate and 4 had a severe form of periodontal disease. High fasting serum glucose ( p  < 0.0001), high BMI scores ( p  = 0.001), low diastolic blood pressure ( p  = 0.030) and high probing depth ( p  = 0.036) were significantly associated with high HbA1c levels. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study HbA1c levels are positively associated with high probing pocket depth in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus under physical exercise training. Control and management of active periodontal diseases in non-insulin-dependent patients with diabetes mellitus is reasonable in order to maximize therapeutic outcome of lifestyle interventions.