Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the radiographic and periodontal status among obese patients with and without type-2 diabetes and systemically-healthy subjects. METHODS: Participants were divided into four groups: (a) Non-diabetic obese patients; (b) Type-2 diabetic obese patients; and (c) self-reported systemically healthy controls. Demographic data, daily oral hygiene maintenance protocols and education status (ES) were collected using a questionnaire. Information regarding family history of diabetes mellitus and obesity was recorded. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Plaque index (PI), bleeding-on-probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), marginal bone loss (MBL) and number of missing teeth (MT) were recorded. Group comparisons were done, and the correlation between BMI, HbA1c and periodontal parameters was assessed using linear regression models. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Sixty-three individuals (21 non-diabetic obese, 22 type-2 diabetic obese and 20 systemically healthy controls) were included. Percentages of sites that demonstrated plaque (P < 0.05) and BoP (P < 0.05), and scores of CAL (P < 0.05), PD (P < 0.05), MBL (P < 0.05) and MT (P < 0.05) were higher among non-diabetic obese and type-2 diabetic obese patients than controls. There was no difference in these parameters among type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients. There was a significant correlation between HbA1c (P < 0.05) and BMI (P < 0.05) and PD in type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients. There was no correlation between HbA1c and BMI in all groups. Conclusions: Periodontal tissue destruction is more pronounced in obese individuals, irrespective of diabetic status. This suggests that excess adiposity plays a central role in periodontal breakdown, regardless of diabetic status.