Periodontitis is associated with insulin resistance in adults living with diabetes mellitus in Uganda: a cross- sectional study

Introduction Evidence suggests that majority of patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda have poor glycaemic control as well as periodontal disease. This study set out to determine the association between periodontitis and insulin resistance in adult patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda using the triglyceride glucose index. Methods Two hundred and twenty-three adult study participants with confirmed diabetes mellitus were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Oral examination was carried with the aid of a periodontal probe to determine the periodontal status and findings recorded using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Tool for Adults, 2013. We recorded clinical details for body mass index (BMI in kg/m 2 ) and laboratory parameters including fasting blood sugar (mmol/L), glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c, %) and serum triglycerides (mmol/L) using a study questionnaire. Data were analyzed using R version 4.10. The glucose triglyceride index was used as a measure of insulin resistance. Logistic regression analysis carried out to determine the factors associated insulin resistance. Results The majority of the study participants was female (70%) with an average age of 48.5 years (SD+/- 11.1). The mean body mass index was 29.6 kg/m 2 (SD+/- 5.82). The mean serum triglyceride index was 9.48 (SD+/- 0.675). Eighty-six-point 1% of the participants had periodontal disease. Bivariate analysis revealed high odds for male sex (OR = 1.31, 95% C.I = 0.44–4.84, p = 0.65) and periodontitis (OR = 3.65, 95% C.I = 0.79–26.15, p = 0.13) but low odds for a high BMI (OR = 0.45. 95% C.I = 0.07–1.67, p = 0.30). Multivariate regression revealed a significant association between insulin resistance and periodontitis. (AOR = 3.52, 95% C.I = 1.19–1.83, p = 0.03). Conclusion Insulin resistance is highly prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda and is associated with periodontitis and low body weight.