OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether there is an association between fasting plasma glucose level and periodontal condition in a non-diabetic male population.

METHODS:

Data of periodic medical examinations of 815 non-diabetic male adults (mean age 38.1 + or - 7.0 years) were analysed. Blood samples were drawn from each subject following a 14-hour fast. The distance between the cement-enamel-junction to alveolar bone crest was measured at inter-proximal sites on two standardised posterior bitewing radiographs.

RESULTS:

Higher prevalence of alveolar bone loss was found among individuals with a fasting glucose level of > or = 100 mg/dL than among individuals with <100 mg/dL (p = 0.032) and among individuals with BMI > or = 25 than among individuals with BMI <25 (p = 0.025). Associations were found between bone loss prevalence and serum triglyceride levels of > or = 200mg/dL, total cholesterol level of > or = 200mg/dL and LDL-cholesterol level of > or = 130 mg/dL (p = 0.010, p <0.001, p = 0.009, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the studied non-diabetic adult population, periodontal disease was associated with impaired glucose level. Periodontal disease could serve as a predictor for future diabetes mellitus, or play a possible role in the glucose imbalance and diabetes mellitus development.