The association of apical periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background The relationship of apical periodontitis (AP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is poorly studied in large populations. The aims of this study were to determine if there is an independent association between AP and T2DM in a large hospital network after controlling for confounding variables, as well as to determine if glycated hemoglobin levels were independently associated with AP. Methods An initial search of the Carolina Data Warehouse for Health yielded 5,995,011 patients, of whom 7,749 were diagnosed with AP in 2015 through 2018. Patients’ demographics, T2DM status, HbA1c, periodontal disease, oral cellulitis, hypertension, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, smoking, body mass index, the use of metformin or statins, and hospital inpatient status were collected from their most recent visit. A control group of 7,749 patients without AP were sampled and matched according to the age, race, and sex of each patient with AP. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between T2DM and AP, as well as between HbA1c and AP after controlling for the effects of the aforementioned confounding variables, using a matched cohort design. Results T2DM was independently associated with significantly greater prevalence of AP (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.73 to 2.43). The use of metformin (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.98) or statins (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.78) was independently associated with significantly lower prevalence of AP. HbA1c greater than 8.0 (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.83 to 3.35) was significantly associated with greater prevalence of AP. Conclusions T2DM and poorly controlled glycemia were significantly associated with AP. Metformin and statin use were associated with lower prevalence of AP. Practical Implications This study provides evidence linking T2DM and the level of glycemia to the increased prevalence of AP. Statins and metformin use may be protective in this relationship.