Association between Periodontitis and Glycaemic Control Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Ogun State, Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) share a bidirectional relationship mediated by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Evidence from high income countries shows that periodontitis is associated with poorer glycaemic control, and that periodontal therapy can modestly reduce glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, but data from sub Saharan Africa remain scarce (Mauri Obradors et al., 2018; Sanz et al., 2018; Tsobgny Tsague et al., 2018; Simpson et al., 2022). This study assessed the association between periodontal status and glycaemic control among adults with T2DM attending public hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among adults with T2DM attending teaching and general hospitals in Ogun State. Sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical information was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires and medical records. Periodontal status was assessed using the 2018 case definition for periodontitis. Glycaemic control was determined using HbA1c, with poor control defined as HbA1c ≥ 7.0%. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between periodontitis and poor glycaemic control, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and duration of diabetes, smoking and oral hygiene practices. Results: A total of 234 participants were included; 142 (60.7%) had periodontitis. Poor glycaemic control was observed in 64.8% of participants with periodontitis compared with 41.3% of those without periodontitis. After adjustment for potential confounders, periodontitis remained significantly associated with poor glycaemic control (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ≈ 2–3, 95% confidence interval not including 1). Conclusion: Periodontitis was independently associated with poor glycaemic control among adults with T2DM in Ogun State. Integrating periodontal screening, prevention and basic periodontal therapy into routine diabetes care in Nigerian public hospitals may improve metabolic outcomes and support holistic non communicable disease management.