Self-rated health and oral health in type 2 diabetic patients - A case-control study

Abstract

Objectives:To analyze whether there are differences between self-rated general health (SRH) and self-rated oral health (SROH) between individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and without DM2, and to explore the general and oral conditions associated with major impacts on general health (GH) and oral health (OH) self-perception. Methods: After obtaining ethical approval and informed consent, the sample included 343 DM2 patients (DM2 group) and 323 controls (nDM2 group), all adult volunteers. Data was obtained from clinical records and oral health examination, using WHO criteria and a questionnaire to rate their own GH and OH on a Likert 5-point scale. Inference analysis was conducted using parametric and non-parametric tests and logistic multivariable regression (MLR) (α=0.05). Results: DM2 patients' perception of own GH was significantly worse than nDM2's (p<0.001). The MLR showed that the risk factors for a worse perceived GH were calculus and oral hygiene at night in nDM2, and HTA, dyslipidaemia and at least one missing tooth in DM2. Both SRH and SROH were significantly (p<0.001) often classified as “bad” or “very bad” in DM2. Calculus and pockets ≥4mm were identified as increased risk factors (OR=3.55, p=0.049; OR=4.32, p=0.025, respectively) and DMFT>0, calculus and gingival recession were associated (p<0.001) with “bad” or “very bad” SRH and SROH in the MLR. Conclusions: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus showed a worse self-perception of own general health and oral health than individuals without this pathology, and oral health was generally self-rated worse than general health.