The impact of chronic periodontitis on serum tumor necrosis factor-α and HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetic patients are subject to chronic periodontitis which could adversely affect glycemic control. Aim: This study determined the impact of chronic periodontitis in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM 2). Materials and Methods: We compared the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and HbA1c% between DM 2 patients with chronic periodontitis (study group) and DM 2 patients without chronic periodontitis (control group). Results: Statistically significant differences in fasting blood glucose (FBS), HbA1c, and gingival index (GI) were observed between the study and control group. No differences were found in TNF-α between the patients of both the groups. However, higher levels of TNF-α and FBS were shown in diabetic patients with mild periodontitis group than in those with moderate or severe periodontitis. Conclusion: Chronic periodontitis could affect HbA1c levels in DM 2 patients. In addition, HbA1c was positively correlated with FBS and GI, while negatively correlated with TNF-α, which exhibited a higher level in mild periodontitis compared with severe and moderate periodontitis.