Gingival crevicular glucose estimation and patient’s perception of pain during routine dental examination - a concept based on a novel patented periodontal device

Abstract

Background/Aim. Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease-causing high mortality and morbidity worldwide. So, physicians need to identify this condition early to implement prevention strategies. The study aimed to test the concept of a novel periodontal device that can be attached to a glucose monitoring device as an innovative tool to screen for periodontitis and diabetes mellitus simultaneously during a routine dental examination. Therefore, correlation of blood glucose between the conventional finger-prick blood glucose (FPBG) and gingival crevicular blood glucose (GCBG) method, along with estimation of patient's pain perception by visual analogue scale (VAS). Methods. A crosssectional comparative study was conducted among 250 participants whose GCBG and FPBG were estimated. VAS score scale was recorded for each patient immediately after the procedure. Results. The mean GCBG value was 151.19 ± 42.64 mg/dL, while mean FPBG was 150.48 ± 42.95 mg/dL, showing a high Pearson's correlation (r=0.9932; p< 0.00001). Mann-Whitney U for VAS score between both the groups showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.00001). Conclusion. The GCBG method was well tolerated by patients, and highly correlated with peripheral blood glucose levels. The proposed concept of the novel periodontal device appeared to be a feasible option for examining periodontium and screening diabetes simultaneously in dental clinics.

Keywords

• blood glucose
• dental instruments
• diabetes mellitus
• fingers
• gingival crevicular fluids
• pain measurement
• periodontitis