Salivary function and glycemic control in older persons with diabetes

Objective. There is no consensus on the possible association between diabet es and salivary dysfunction in older persons with diabetes. This study's pu rpose was to investigate the effect of diabetes and glycemic control on sal ivary function in an older population. Study design. Twenty nine persons with type 2 diabetes and 23 nondiabetic c ontrol subjects participated (age range, 54-90 years). Diabetic status was determined by a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) test and a 2-hour glucose tolerance test. Poor glycemic control was defined as HbA(1c) >9%. Unstimul ated whole saliva, unstimulated parotid, and stimulated parotid flow rates were measured, and subjects completed a standardized xerostomia questionnai re. Results. Persons with poorly controlled diabetes had lower (P = .01) stimul ated parotid flow rates than persons with well-controlled diabetes and nond iabetic control subjects. There were no significant differences in xerostom ic complaints based on diabetic or glycemic control status or salivary flow rates. Conclusions. These results provide some evidence that poorly controlled dia betes may be associated with salivary dysfunction in older adults who have no concomitant complaints of xerostomia.