London: A new King’s College London study has revealed how a simple chairside test helps to screen patients who have other risk factors for the condition, such as high BMI and gum disease. The research addresses the large overlap between gum disease and diabetes.
Diabetes and pre-diabetes are steadily increasing worldwide every year. According to Diabetes UK, nearly 1.3 million people could be living with type 2 diabetes in the UK without being diagnosed. Screening and early detection are vital to reduce complications of the condition and related cost to the NHS.
In the study, published in Journal of Dentistry, a simple finger-prick blood test revealed more than 35 percent of patients who did not report any history of diabetes had higher than usual blood sugar levels consistent with pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Co-author Dr Giuseppe Mainas, specialist periodontist and research associate at King’s College London, said: “The findings suggest that dental visits may offer a valuable opportunity to identify those at risk of diabetes, particularly in older patients, those with higher BMI, and people with gum disease.”
Higher HbA1c levels were observed in patients with more severe gum disease – this was gradual and correlated, providing further evidence of the link between gum disease and metabolic health.
