Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis in Gullah African Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim To assess associations of metabolic syndrome, and its individual components, with extent of severe periodontitis among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM ). Materials & Methods We performed a secondary data analysis ( N  = 283) using a cross‐sectional study population of Gullah African Americans with T2 DM . Extent of severe periodontitis was assessed as total diseased tooth‐sites/person [evaluated as separate outcomes: 6+mm clinical attachment level ( CAL ), 5+mm periodontal probing depth ( PPD )] using negative binomial regression techniques. Primary independent variables assessed in separate models included metabolic syndrome (yes/no), each metabolic syndrome component (low HDL , hypertension, high triglycerides, large waist circumference) and glycemic control (poor/good). Results Multivariable CAL ‐model results showed a significant association for metabolic syndrome status with extent of severe periodontitis ( RR  = 2.77, p  = 0.03). The separate multivariable CAL ‐model including each metabolic syndrome component showed marginally increased rates among those with large waist circumference ( RR  = 2.33, p  = 0.09) and those with HbA1c ≥ 7% ( RR  = 1.73, p  = 0.06). Multivariable PPD ‐models showed marginally increased rates among those with metabolic syndrome ( RR  = 2.18, p  = 0.06). Conclusion Metabolic syndrome is associated with the extent of severe periodontitis in this Gullah population with T2 DM .