Effect of periodontal disease and its treatment on the glycemic status of nondiabetic subjects with a family history of diabetes.

Objectives: The primary objective was to assess the effect of periodontitis and its treatment on glycemic status, as measured by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and systemic inflammation employing C-reactive protein (CRP) in nondiabetic individuals with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The secondary objective was to assess the relationship between periodontal parameters, glycemic status, and systemic inflammation. Materials and Methods: Sixty nondiabetic subjects with a family history of T2DM were recruited. They were grouped as those with periodontitis (Group 1) and those without periodontitis (Group 2). Biochemical parameters such as HbA1c, FBS, and CRP were assessed at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up in both groups. Both groups were given oral hygiene instructions. Group 1 received nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) consisting of supra- and subgingival professional mechanical plaque removal and oral azithromycin 500 mg for 3 days. Periodontal parameters such as full-mouth plaque score, full-mouth bleeding score, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss were assessed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up in Group 1. Results: There were significant differences in HbA1c, FBS, and CRP between both groups at baseline. A significant difference was noted between baseline and 3-month follow-up values of HbA1c, FBS, and CRP in the periodontitis group. Periodontal parameters also showed improvement from baseline values after NSPT in 3 months. Conclusion: In patients with periodontitis, the HbA1c, FBS, and CRP levels were higher than those in periodontally healthy subjects, and the values reduced after NSPT. Hence, controlling periodontal inflammation may positively influence the future development of T2DM in prediabetic patients and the conversion of nondiabetics to prediabetes.