Chronic microvascular complications of type 1 diabetes relate to small and medium-sized vessels and clinically manifest as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy as well as periodontitis. Cigarette smoking significantly modifies the course of inflammation in subjects without diabetes. The aim of the study was to assess the periodontal status in smoking and non-smoking subjects with type 1 diabetes.
Materials and methods: 115 subjects with type 1 diabetes, median age 32 years (IQR 25-38), median HbA1c 8.3% (7.4-9.4) were included. Assessed gingival indices comprised API, SBI, GI.
Results: Smoking cigarettes was more frequent among men compared to women (p = 0.03). API was lower among women compared to men (p = 0.004). There was no correlation between HbA1c and gingival indexes, however, people achieving good metabolic control (HbA1c≤6.5%) had a lower API (p = 0.039). Smokers presented lower SBI compared to non- -smokers (p = 0.03).
Conclusions: People with type 1 diabetes smoking cigarettes present lower gingival bleeding compared to non-smokers. In people with poor metabolic control of type 1 diabetes there is an increased accumulation of dental plaque in comparison with well-controlled type 1 diabetic patients.