Associations of blood glucose, helper T cells and cytokine levels with degree of periodontal lesion in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients accompanied by chronic periodontitis

Abstract

Background: To explore the associations of blood glucose with degree of periodontal lesions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accompanied by chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: Sixty-five eligible patients were included as a T2DM+CP group, another 65 patients with T2DM alone were included as a T2DM group, and another 65 patients with CP alone were included as a CP group. Their blood glucose, insulin, Th cells and cytokine levels and periodontal indices were compared. The correlations between each index and periodontal indices were analysed. The influencing factors for T2DM accompanied by CP were explored. Results: The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) of T2DM+CP, T2DM and CP groups followed a descending order (P<0.05). FPG, HbA1c, FINS, CD4+ Th1 cell, CD4+ Th17 cell, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) all had positive correlations with gingival index, bleeding index, probing depth and attachment loss in T2DM patients accompanied by CP (P<0.05). Periodontal lesions were more severe in T2DM patients accompanied by CP, and the severity was positively correlated with the levels of FPG, HbA1c, Th1, Th17, IFN-γ and IL-17. Conclusion: High levels of FPG, HbA1c, IFN-γ and IL-17 are independent risk factors for T2DM accompanied by CP.