Background
Oral existence of Candida species both as a commensal and opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals is well recognized.Diabetes is associated with plethora of oral complications including oral candidiasis.
Objectives
This research aims to determine the prevalence of candidiasis and its associations with diabetes mellitus (DM). Additionally it aims to estimate the isolation and identification of candida species and its correlations with biochemical and microbiological parameters and other associated factors.
Research design and Methods
An analytical cross sectional study was conducted at the Diabetes and Endocrinology clinic, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka where 100 patients with diabetes and 100 subjects without diabetes were recruited as study group and control group respectively.Blood, saliva and an oral rinse were obtained from each subject for the estimation of fasting blood sugar(FBS) , glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c,) fasting salivary glucose (FSG) and for the detection of Candida species.
Results
Mean age of the study and control groups was 45 years and more than 90% of study subjects and 88% in control group were females.Prevalence of oral candidiasis among patients with type 2 diabetes was 66% whereas that in control group was 46%.Significant correlations (P<0.05) were observed between Candida growth and fasting blood sugar levels, the logarithmic values of the total Colony forming units of Candida and FSG levels (P<0.05). Furthermore significant associations were detected between Candida growth and wearing of dentures (P<0.001), their duration (P<0.01) and FSG levels (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Patients with diabetes are at high risk of development of oral candidiasis compared with those without and candida growth in the oral cavity is significantly associated with glycemic control and wearing of dentures.This study emphasizes the necessity of routine dental work up and appropriate oral hygiene in patients with diabetes.