In-dental office screening for diabetes mellitus using gingival crevicular blood.

AIM: To evaluate whether during routine periodontal examination blood from gingival tissues can be used for determining glucose levels.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Thirty patients with gingivitis or periodontitis and bleeding on probing (BOP) were chosen. The following clinical periodontal parameters were noted: probing depth, BOP, gingival bleeding index, and periodontal disease index. Blood samples were collected from gingival crevicular blood (GCB) and capillary finger prick blood (CFB). These samples were analyzed using a glucose self-monitoring device.

RESULTS

Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out in the present study. Data were analyzed using a Pearson's correlation coefficient and Student's t-test. An r-value of 0.97 shows very strong correlation between CFB and GCB, which was statistically highly significant (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that GCB may serve as potential source of screening blood glucose during routine periodontal examination in populations with an unknown history of diabetes mellitus.