EVALUATION OF A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED DIABETES SCREENING CONCEPT IN THE SOUTH INDIAN POPULATION WITH STAGE III OR IV PERIODONTITIS: A PRACTICE-BASED STUDY

Abstract

Background: This pragmatic retrospective study evaluated a diabetes mellitus (DM) screening method using the Finnish diabetic Risk Score questionnaire in patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis (FINDRISC). Methods: We enrolled subjects with Stage III or IV periodontitis who underwent FINDRISC screening at a private dental college in India. People with positive FINDRISC scores (≥12, FINDRISC+) were selected for diabetological investigation. Numerous demographic and periodontal findings from the patients' documents were verified and analysed. Results: A total of 170 subjects (50.15 ± 11.49 years) were included. In diabetes mellitus examination, 23.4% (n = 44) subjects were FINDRISC+, as well as all individuals presently diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus (21 of 21). 63.2% (12 of 19, or 7.6% of the entire cohort) of the remaining FINDRISC+ participants had an HbA1c ≥5.7%, and 82.6% (19 of 23) went to see their medical practitioner. Accordingly, 75% of the FINDRISC+ participants had diabetes mellitus, which included people with pre-existing diabetes, and were diabetologically prominent (HbA1c ≥ 5.7%). Among those who were diabetologically inconspicuous, those with a record of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus had higher mean ages, more missing teeth, advanced periodontitis stages (more Stage IV), and more frequently teeth with suppuration (P <0.01). Conclusion: The FINDRISC questionnaire can be suggested in a dental practice context and is suitable for patients with Stage III or IV periodontitis.