Periodontal risk markers in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Periodontal disease is a frequent complication of diabetes in adults, and both conditions are associated with systemic inflammatory states. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to establish the relative severity of periodontal disease risk markers in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods A systematic search strategy using PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed to identify relevant studies assessing periodontal risk markers in children and adolescents and T1D through to February 2019. Eligible studies were assessed for quality and heterogeneity, and a random effects model was used to estimate differences in selected periodontal risk markers in children with T1D relative to healthy controls. Results The search identified 551 studies from which 23 were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Random effects meta-analyses demonstrated that relative to healthy controls, children and adolescents with T1D had higher mean values for plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss (allP < .001). Conclusions Risk markers for periodontal disease were found to be more pronounced among children and adolescents with T1D compared to healthy controls. Early referral of these at risk individuals for dental examination is recommended to allow for early intervention.