Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Periodontal Disease

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Periodontal Disease: a Cross Sectional Study

This study evaluated the periodontal condition of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and a healthy non-pregnant control group. For the GDM group all medical data were recorded, including obesity/insulin resistance indicators.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated to a worse periodontal condition. Many patients with these two diseases are also obese. After delivery, some patients maintain the pre-pregnancy obesity status and this condition is also associated to periodontal disease. The mechanisms involved in the relationship of all these medical and periodontal conditions are not clear.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria for GDM group was pregnant women with diagnosis of GDM based on glucose determination described in a previous study (19) and under medical treatment of an endocrinologist and the presence of at least one tooth per sextant.
• Inclusion criteria for control group were absence of periodontal disease, mean age similar to test group and presence of at least one tooth per sextant.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The exclusion criteria for GDM group were pregnant women without diagnosis of diabetes, age below 18 years or higher than 42 years, and the presence of other systemic diseases.
• In control group, women were excluded if they were pregnant, had diabetes or other systemic disease and age below 18 years or higher than 42 years.