Analysis of the Relationship between Oral Diseases and Glycemic Control of Diabetes in the West African Context: Survey at the Centre Anti-Diabétique d’Abidjan (CADA), Côte d’Ivoire

The relationship between diabetes and periodontitis is established and described as a bidirectional influence, whereas that with dental caries is still controversial. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between blood glucose control and oral diseases in a population of diabetics followed at the “Centre Anti Diabétique d’Abidjan” (CADA). The dental condition of the diabetics included in this cross-sectional study was assessed by the DMF index, periodontal condition by the CPITN and oral hygiene by the OHIS index. Diabetes data were extracted from CADA patient medical records. Blood glucose control has been defined by an average of the blood glucose values of the last 3 months less than or equal to 1.26 g/l. Regression models were constructed to estimate the risk of diabetes imbalance adjusted for all characteristics collected. The sample of 356 diabetics consisted of 53.7% women with an average age of 55.6 years (range: 12 - 85 years). The average DMF index was 7.9 (Std: 6.6) with an estimated prevalence of caries of 77.0%, that of periodontitis of 53.1%. The proportion of subjects with good glycemic control was estimated at 41.3%. The characteristics associated with glycemic control were: dry mouth (p = 0.005), type of diabetes treatment (p < 0.00014) and duration of diabetes (p = 0.039) and periodontal status assessed with the CPITN (p = 0.014). The results of this study confirmed the link between periodontitis and glycemic control of diabetes described in the literature but didn’t find significant association between dental caries and diabetes.