Background: Microvascular complications associated with diabetes (DM) are important predictors of morbidity and mortality. Understanding the factors associated with these complications is important in reducing their burden.
Method: Using a cross-sectional study design, seventy-one ambulatory patients with Type 2 DM (female 60.6%, white 36.6%, mean age 64.1± 10.3 years, and mean duration of DM 15.8±9.1 years) were recruited using an investigator-administered questionnaire and chart review. Variables of demographics, smoking, HbA1c, DM duration, and complications were collected. CRP was measured and oral health status was assessed by a clinical exam. Data were analyzed using Chi-square/Fisher exact tests and binomial logistic regression (SPSS version 27) .
Results: A larger proportion of patients with neuropathy, retinopathy or nephropathy were completely edentulous compared to those without these complications (45.3% vs. 10.3%; p=0.002) . The likelihood of having microvascular complications based on selected independent variables is shown in the table.
Conclusions: In this DM patient sample, advancing age and being completely edentulous were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of having microvascular complications. Our findings may reflect some similarities between underlying risk factors that contribute to microvascular complications of DM and tooth loss.
K.Izuora: Research Support; Novo Nordisk. A.Alver: None. A.Basu: None. K.Batra: n/a. S.J.Williams: None. J.L.Ebersole: None.
