Estimation and comparison of salivary flow rate and its composition in diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients: A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia irregularities in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and protein. It is often associated with the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications and neuropathies. The health of oral tissues is known to be related to the quality and quantity of saliva both of which may be altered in diabetes. AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the salivary flow rate, electrolytes and total proteins in saliva of Type II diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 120 participants were included in this study, in which 80 patients were suffering from Type II DM (which included both controlled and uncontrolled diabetes) and 40 nondiabetic persons (controls). The study population included both the genders, with an age range of 40–70 years. The study population was divided into three groups. RESULTS: The values of total protein, sodium, potassium and salivary flow rate among controls, controlled diabetes and uncontrolled diabetes were collected, formulated and multiple comparisons between the groups using the analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference analysis were done in version 16.0 of SPSS software. CONCLUSION: Studies with larger sample size are warranted to know the exact pathophysiology of controlled and uncontrolled Type II DM in terms of salivary flow rate, salivary electrolytes and total protein.