Serum osteoprotegerin and periodontal destruction in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Aim Besides their role in bone metabolism, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappaB ligand ( RANKL ) and osteoprotegerin ( OPG ) are also known to be associated with inflammation. We explored associations between the extent/severity of periodontitis and circulating levels of sRANKL and OPG and their ratio using a cross‐sectional study design. Subjects & methods The extent of periodontal inflammation and tissue destruction and the serum levels of sRANKL (pg/ml) and OPG (pg/ml) were determined in 80 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus ( T1DM ). Plaque‐, age‐, gender‐, smoking‐, HbA1c‐ and body mass index‐adjusted associations between periodontal parameters and serum sRANKL , OPG and their ratio were studied using multiple linear regression analysis. Results Adjusted regression analyses of all the subjects indicated a significant positive association between AL  ≥ 4 mm and severity of periodontitis and the level of serum OPG . A major drop in the strength and statistical significance of the above association was observed when the analyses included only non‐smokers. Serum sRANKL level and sRANKL / OPG ratio were not associated with periodontitis. Conclusion Our observations suggest that serum OPG may be an indicator of periodontal tissue destruction in T1DM .