Skip to main content

Diabetes Complications Tied to Higher Risk for Gum Disease

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 19, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2024 -- Neuropathy and retinopathy are positively associated with moderate/severe periodontitis, according to a study published online Aug. 5 in the Journal of Dental Research.

Fernando Valentim Bitencourt, D.D.S., from Aarhus University in Denmark, and colleagues investigated the association between individual and combined diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., neuropathy and retinopathy) and moderate/severe periodontitis. The analysis included 15,922 individuals with type 2 diabetes participating in the Health in Central Denmark study.

The researchers found that in an adjusted analysis, diabetic neuropathy (odds ratio [OR], 1.36) and retinopathy (OR, 1.21) were associated with moderate/severe periodontitis. The coexistence of microvascular complications increased the odds of moderate/severe periodontitis (OR, 1.51). There was an additive effect for modification of dyslipidemia, indicating a positive relative excess risk due to interaction of 0.24 for neuropathy, 0.11 for retinopathy, and 0.44 for both complications. Unmeasured confounders and microvascular complication definitions were ruled out as explanatory factors in a sensitivity analysis. There was an association between diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy, individually and combined, with moderate/severe periodontitis. Dyslipidemia had an additive positive effect modification on diabetic microvascular complications, increasing the odds of moderate/severe periodontitis.

"Dentists should consider recommending a screening for microvascular complications in persons with type 2 diabetes who have moderate/severe periodontitis, especially those with dyslipidemia," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted September 2024

Read this next

ASCO: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists May Reduce Risk for Obesity-Related Cancer, All-Cause Death

WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025 -- For adults with diabetes and obesity, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are associated with a reduced risk for obesity-related...

Semaglutide Plus Intensive Behavioral Therapy Most Beneficial for Weight Loss

FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 -- Weight loss treatment combining personalized semaglutide with intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) yields weight loss similar to that reported in...

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Not Linked to Increased Risk of Psychiatric Adverse Events, Depression

MONDAY, May 19, 2025 -- For patients with overweight/obesity and/or diabetes, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) treatment is not associated with an increased...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.