Effect of lifestyle on periodontal disease status in diabetic patients.

Lifestyle and socioeconomic status have been associated with the disease status of diabetic patients. However, there have been few reports on the relationship between these factors and the periodontal condition of diabetics. We assessed the association between disease status and lifestyle of diabetic patients and clinical features of advanced periodontitis such as deep probing depths and severe alveolar bone loss. Fifty-seven diabetic patients were examined in this study. Clinical assessment of probing pocket depth and radiographic alveolar bone loss was performed. Data regarding diabetic status and lifestyle of the diabetic patients were also recorded and statistically analysed by logistic regression. Drinking habits and high values of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (>9.0%) were significantly associated with deep probing depth. The odds ratios (OR) of these factors were 7.72 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.80 to 33.19), and 6.10 (95% CI = 1.23 to 30.25), respectively. Presence of complications such as retinopathy (OR = 8.86, 95% CI, 1.99 to 39.40), irascible behaviour (OR = 8.40, 95% CI = 1.33 to 53.17) and high value of HbA1c (OR = 4.94, 95% CI = 1.14 to 21.46) were significantly related to mean advanced alveolar bone loss. Only the high value of HbA1c (OR = 3.53, 95% CI = 1.06 to 11.73) was detected as a significant factor related to advanced periodontitis, characterised by more than 50% mean alveolar bone loss, or two or more teeth with probing depth greater than 6 mm. In conclusion, drinking habit and irascible behaviour are correlated with the periodontal disease condition of diabetic patients, in addition to a high value of HbA1c (>9.0%). Lifestyle and psychosocial stress may affect the periodontal disease status of diabetic patients.