PAROTID FUNCTION AND COMPOSITION OF PAROTID-SALIVA AMONG ELDERLY EDENTULOUS AFRICAN-AMERICAN DIABETICS

This study examined parotid salivary flow rate and composition in thre e groups of differently treated diabetics and a control group of non-d iabetics. The study population was composed of edentulous African-Amer icans at least 65 years of age. Group A was the control, Group B insul in-dependent (Regular Iletin, U-100 qd.), Group C controlled by oral m edication (Tolbutamide, 500 mg qd.), and Group D was diet controlled. All diabetic patients had serum glucose values under 250 mg/dl. Saliva ry flow rates, secretory IgA, electrolytes (Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca++) and to tal protein concentrations were evaluated. The results showed no signi ficant differences between groups with respect to salivary flow rates, electrolytes and IgA concentrations. Additionally, all diabetic group s demonstrated a significantly lower salivary total protein concentrat ion when compared to the controls. There appears to be no evident decr ease in salivary flow rate in these three differently controlled diabe tic groups compared with healthy non-diabetics.