Bacteria From Gum Disease Leads To Even Bigger Problems (Mar. 15, 1999) Diabetes and chronic lung disease can be added to the growing list of systemic diseases and conditions associated with bacteria from infected gums, new studies from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine have shown. Researchers studied 11,198 subjects, assessing information on periodontal status, defined as degree of gum detachment from bone, along with fasting-insulin and fasting-glucose levels, which were combined to establish an index of insulin resistance. Persons with known diabetes or with a blood glucose level that reached diabetic levels were excluded from the analysis. Analysis showed that the index of insulin resistance increased as severity of periodontal disease increased. The relationship was not affected by age, gender, body-mass index (a measure of obesity) or smoking. To clarify the relationship further, the researchers separated the study group into overweight versus non-overweight, using a body mass index of 27 as the dividing line. Weight is an independent risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes. Results showed that those with severe periodontal disease (gum detachment), regardless of weight, have a higher index of insulin resistance than those with little or no disease.

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