| Abstract |
Aim
Although women with gestational diabetes appear to have various
oral complaints the epidemiological literature contains little information on
the dental and periodontal status of these women.
The purpose of this study was 1) to obtain information on dental and
gingival condition in a population of women with gestational diabetes in a
Greek island and 2) to investigate the relationship between oral variables and
other local and general determinants.
Patients and Methods
The study was conducted in the two main hospitals of Heraklion,
Crete: University Hospital of Heraklion, and Venizelio Hospital of
Heraklion. The study group consisted of 64 women diagnosed for gestational
diabetes and 88 pregnant women who served as control group.
The social demographic characteristics, as well as dietary habits and
oral hygiene information were recorded on a specific form. The diagnosis of
gestational diabetes mellitus was based on oral glucose tolerance test
(OGTT).
Plaque Index devised by Silness & Löe was used to assess the
thickness of plaque at the gingival margin. The condition of dental tissues
was accessed by the use of the decayed, missing and filled index (DMF).
The Gingival index devised by Löe & Silness was used to assess the gingival
inflammation.
Results
DMF index was increased among women with gestational diabetes
but the difference was not significant (p=0.555).
Women with gestational diabetes had greater mean plaque index and
greater mean gingival index than healthy pregnant women, (p = 0.048 and p
=0.029 respectively).
Women of the diabetes group appeared to have higher education
more frequently than the women of the control group (p = 0.010). Most
women with gestational diabetes appeared to be employed while most
healthy pregnant women appeared to do housework (p = 0.013)
According to the results of the linear regression analysis, plaque
index was associated with education level and the use of dental floss.
Women with higher level of education had lower plaque index score (p =
0.028). Women who used dental floss had lower plaque index score (p =
0.043).
DMF was associated with age. Older women had higher DMF index
score (p = 0.001).
Finally, when gingival index was the dependent variable it was
associated with plaque index. Women with increased plaque index had
increased gingival index (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
a) There were no significant differences in dental status between
women with gestational diabetes and pregnant women.
b) Gingival inflammation although seems to be more prevalent in
women with gestational diabetes compared to healthy pregnant women, the
plaque accumulation remains the main cause of gingival inflammation.
c) Our study revealed the importance of establishing oral preventive
measures for these women, although their demographic and clinical
characteristics did not differed significantly from the total population.
Research goals
It needs further research in order to explore:
a) Other determinants, i.e. microbial flora which are responsible for
the differences between the various groups of patients,
b) Ways in order to establish the rules of dental hygiene by the pregnant
women in our country.
c) The contribution of Primary Health Care dentists in precaution of
stomatological diseases in these populations.
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Οι επιπτώσεις στους οδοντικούς και ουλικούς ιστούς των γυναικών που εκδηλώνουν σακχαρώδη διαβήτη κύησης
