ENZYME-ACTIVITY IN CREVICULAR FLUID IN RELATION TO METABOLIC CONTROL OF DIABETES AND OTHER PERIODONTAL RISK-FACTORS

DIABETICS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED at higher risk for periodontitis th an non-diabetics. Among diabetics, those with poorer metabolic control have often been found to have more periodontitis. This study investig ated the relationship between two crevicular fluid enzymes, beta-glucu ronidase (betaG) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and metabolic control in 93 adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Metabolic control was evaluat ed by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The most visibly inflame d site was sampled for crevicular fluid enzymes and plaque for microbi al assessment. Plaque, calculus, and probing depth were also recorded. Beta-glucuronidase was found at significantly higher levels in patien ts with poorer diabetic control while LDH levels were not related to c ontrol. Using multiple regression analysis, good metabolic control was the only predicting variable for beta-glucuronidase when considered w ith microbes, probing depth, plaque, calculus, age, duration, and type of diabetes. If beta-glucuronidase is a predictor of periodontal dise ase activity, diabetics with poor metabolic control are at higher risk for periodontitis.