A call for further research on the relation between type 2 diabetes and oral candidiasis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between oral candidiasis with salivary features, neutrophil function, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Design: Twenty-nine individuals were included, 16 with T2D and 13 without the disease. The participants underwent clinical examination, neutrophilic function tests, fasting glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (A1c), stimulated and unstimulated saliva collection, and swab and exfoliative cytology. Salivary flow, pH, and total fungi count were evaluated on saliva, and identification of the Candida species was performed in saliva and swab samples.

Results: There was no difference in unstimulated salivary flow and pH of the stimulated and unstimulated saliva for participants with T2D and controls (P > .05). Individuals from both groups presented no candidal lesions. The salivary fungal growth in the T2D group was higher than that in controls (P < .05). Only individuals with T2D presented alterations in the neutrophilic functions (14/16; 87.5%; P < .05). There was no relationship between high A1c values and neutrophil dysfunction with the presence of Candida spp. in both saliva and mucosa (P > .05).

Conclusions: High A1c level, reduction in neutrophil activity, salivary flow and pH, and increase in total salivary Candida spp. counts were not related to oral candidiasis in patients with T2D.