Salivary disorders in diabetes

Investigators have examined the prevalence of xerostomia and hyposalivation in patients with diabetes mellitus.

In a study published in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, the investigators analyzed the data of 168 patients with diabetes mellitus.

The investigators noted that 13 of the patients had Type 1 diabetes mellitus and 155 of them had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Among all of the patients, 52.4% and 41.1% of them experienced xerostomia and unstimulated whole salivary flow hyposalivation. Female patients had a higher prevalence of hyposalivation compared with male patients, and those with Type 1 diabetes mellitus were more likely to experience unstimulated whole salivary flow hyposalivation compared with patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Although treatments for diabetes mellitus were not linked to salivary disorders, drugs used to treat comorbidities were associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation.

Further studies may help elucidate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and salivary disorders.

Read more: Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.