Awareness About the Oral and Systemic Complications of Diabetes Among a Cohort of Diabetic Patients of the Republic of Mauritius

BACKGROUND: Persistent hyperglycaemia in patients with uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes may cause serious oral and systemic complications. Persons with diabetes are mostly unaware of their increased risk of oral complications. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated awareness about the association of diabetes with other diseases and knowledge about the systemic and oral complications of diabetes among patients with diabetes in the Republic of Mauritius. METHODS: Data were collected from 720 patients with diabetes using an anonymous closed-end questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to report the results and to identify factors associated with awareness about the link between diabetes and other diseases and knowledge about oral and systemic complications. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants were aware of the association between diabetes and other diseases. However, knowledge about oral complications of diabetes was limited (caries [29%], periodontal disease [37%], and xerostomia [52%]). Education and the number of years since diagnosis of diabetes were the most significant predictors of awareness about complications. The experience of xerostomia and periodontal disease were associated with knowledge about their respective increased risk. Receiving advice from diabetes care providers increased awareness about caries and periodontal disease. Age and type of diabetes were associated with knowledge about systemic complications. CONCLUSION: Awareness about the oral complications of diabetes was limited and was mainly linked with the experience of disease. This indicates a need for increased health promotion with customised educational programs to inform patients with diabetes of their increased risk of developing complications.