Evaluation of a questionnaire‐based diabetes screening concept in German patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis: A practice‐based study. Issue 8 (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmalz, Gerhard; Wolf, Claudia; Merle, Cordula; Kottmann, Tanja; Haak, Rainer; Ziebolz, Dirk
• Is Part Of: Journal of periodontology. Volume 92:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1163
• Page End: 1170
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: diabetes mellitus -- periodontal medicine -- periodontitis; Periodontics -- Periodicals; 617.632
• DOI: 10.1002/JPER.20-0297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3492

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This practice‐based retrospective study evaluated a screening method for diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis using the FINDRISC questionnaire. Methods: Patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis who received FINDRISC screening in a German private dental practice were recruited. Individuals with positive FINDRISC scores (≥12, FINDRISC+) were referred for diabetological examination. Several general and periodontal findings from the patients' documentation were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 179 patients (52.65 ± 11.49 years) were included. In DM screening, 24.6% (n = 44) patients were FINDRISC+, including all patients with currently known DM (21 of 21). Of the remaining FINDRISC+ patients, 82.6% (19 of 23) visited their general practitioner, and 63.2% (12 of 19, 7.6% of total cohort) had an HbA1c ≥5.7%. Accordingly, 75% of the FINDRISC+ patients were diabetologically conspicuous (HbA1c ≥ 5.7%), including those with already known DM. Patients with previously unknown DM showed higher mean age, more missing teeth, a higher periodontitis stage (more Stage IV) and more frequently teeth with suppuration compared with the diabetologically inconspicuous individuals ( P <0.01). Conclusion: The FINDRISC questionnaire is appropriate for patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis and can be recommended in dental practice setting.