Type 1 diabetes and oral health: Findings from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe long-term oral health outcomes and examine associations between sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, and markers of diabetes control on tooth loss in participants with type 1 diabetes enrolled in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study. Research design and methodsOral health outcomes related to tooth loss were reported at annual visits during EDIC years 22–26 (2015–2019). Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the association of individual risk factors and tooth loss, over repeated time points. ResultsA total of 165 (17%) participants with type 1 diabetes reported 221 oral health outcomes related to tooth loss over a five-year period. After controlling for age and current tobacco use, the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was significantly associated with an increased odds of tooth loss (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.24, 2.87) while higher mean HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio was significantly associated with a decreased odds of tooth loss (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.79, 0.97). ConclusionsThese findings suggest that diabetes-related complications, either resulting from or independent of poor glycemia, may be directly associated with oral health conditions, and support the need for individuals with type 1 diabetes and providers to implement lifestyle and medical interventions to reduce oral health risks.