Tooth loss in patients with and without diabetes: A large-scale, cross-sectional study of Mexican adults

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the experience and distribution of tooth loss in people with and without diabetes.

Methods: The authors conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of patients at a public university. Analysis included medical records of those treated from 2013 through 2017. The dependent and main independent variables were the number of missing teeth and a diagnosis of diabetes, respectively. As covariables, the authors analyzed the sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as the general and oral health status of patients. A multivariate model based on negative binomial regression was constructed.

Results: Of the 3,406 medical records analyzed, 64.2% (n = 2,185) pertained to women, the mean age was 42.45 years, 87.9% did not have diabetes, and 12.1% had received a diagnosis of diabetes. The mean (standard deviation) number of missing teeth was 7.46 (7.89), 7.09 (7.60) in patients without diabetes, and 10.12 (9.32) in patients with diabetes. According to our final multivariate model, the expected mean number of missing teeth was 11.4% higher in patients with diabetes than in those without (P = .006). For every 1-year increase in age, the expected mean number of missing teeth increased by 3.9% (P < .001). Other variables related to tooth loss included occupation, marital status, and type of insurance.

Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that the mean number of missing teeth is higher in people with diabetes and suggest that certain socioeconomic inequalities exist in the area of oral health.

Practical implications: The population needs to be apprised of the impact of diabetes on oral health.

Keywords: Mexico; Oral medicine; adults; diabetes; tooth loss.