Correlation between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease: A retrospective assessment of diabetics attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano

Abstract

Periodontal disease is a common oral infection that affects the tissues that surrounds and support the teeth. The aim of the research was to study the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease. The data was collected at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano where a thorough review of patients’ record (files) who visited or were admitted at the facility within the period of January 2022-May 2023. Correlation coefficients showed the existence of a strong relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. Out of 80 patients with diabetes mellitus; 52(65%) had periodontal disease, 36(45%) were males and the disease was severe within the age range of 55-74; 16 (20%) were females with the disease being severe within the age range of 75 and above while 28 (35%) had no periodontal disease. Twenty percent of the patients had gingivitis, 15% have mild periodontitis, 20% have moderate periodontitis, 10% have severe periodontitis and 35% had no periodontitis. There exists strong relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease, the poorer the glycaemic control, and the longer the duration of diabetes mellitus; the greater will be the increased risk and severity of periodontitis.