Saliva as an Indicator of Diabetes in Oral Cavity

Contex: The prevalence of diabetes in Albania in the adult population is 1.9%, which means that here are approximately 60,000 diabetics patients. In fact, the number should be 2-3 times higher, as in some screenings performed in Tirana (in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 3-4%.

Aims: Our study aims to find the possible link between oral lesions and changes in composition and amount of saliva produced in diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 37 patients, of whom 22 were diabetic, regardless of type of diabetes or glycemic control, and 15 were healthy patients. In the study, measurements of stimulated saliva and saliva norms have been selected to compare the median values of these amounts.

Results: The study resulted in 17 patients with xerostomia: 5 patients with xerostomia were from the group of non-diabetic patients and 12 from the group of diabetics. In terms of ions, the differences were slightly larger, but not significant, respectively 17 and 24, while the ions of Cl had a significant difference, respectively 26 and 36. There is a significant difference between salivary pH at diabetic patients (pH = 5.9), compared to non-diabetic patients (pH = 7). The level of glucose in the saliva speaks of large differences, respectively glucose levels in saliva in diabetic patients, were 4,6 and in non-diabetic patients 1,7.

Conclusions: Saliva stimulus is noticeable both in diabetic patients and in control group patients, although in diabetic patients such as saliva and stimulated saliva are reduced, significantly reduced. Collected saliva quantities show significant correlation with patient age and gender, correlations based on literature.Fluctuations in ion, in glucose, in salivary pH lead to the appearance of oral lesions typical of diabetic patients.