English

Abstract

BACKGROUND The focus of this study was to assess the relationship of nutrients (magnesium, iron) in periodontitis and diabetic patients. Serum magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) levels were evaluated in periodontitis patients and were compared between diabetic patients with periodontitis and healthy controls. METHODS Total sixty subjects (18 females and 42 males) were recruited in this cross-sectional study and were divided into three groups - Group I (healthy subjects), Group II (chronic generalized periodontitis), Group III (Type II diabetes mellitus and chronic generalized periodontitis). Loe and Silness gingival index and probing pocket depth were used for categorizing chronic generalized periodontitis patients. Serum levels of magnesium and iron were estimated and then compared among the groups. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Newmann-Keuls multiple post-hoc procedures. Statistical significance was accepted for P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Mean serum levels of magnesium (Mg) were 0.89 in Group 3 (Type II DM + CGP), 1.01 in Group 2 (CGP) against 1.52 in Group 1 (Control), which were statistically significant. Mean Iron (Fe) levels showed 165.56 in Group 3 (Type II DM + CGP), 137.77 in Group 2 (CGP) against 78.17 (Control) which is also statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found statistically significant decrease in magnesium and increase in serum iron levels in Group 3 (Type II DM + CGP) compared to Group 2 (CGP) and healthy controls. These findings suggest that trace elements also play an important role in the progression of periodontal disease. KEY WORDS Chronic Periodontitis, Diabetes Mellitus, Iron, Magnesium