Cortisol levels in patients presenting generalized chronic periodontitis and diabetes mellitus

Purpose: This study evaluated cortisol levels in healthy subjects, patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2, and patients with GCP without DM. Methods: Fifty-nine subjects were selected and categorized into: 1) Control group (n=19, age: 36.4±5.1 years old), 2) Case 1 group (n=11, age: 54.2±19.6 years old) comprising subjects with GCP and DM type 2, and 3) Case 2 group (n=29, age: 40.9±4.4 years old) comprising subjects with GCP. The clinical parameters assessed were: gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), probing attachment level (PAL), cortisol levels in plasma, and blood glucose. Results: The clinical parameters PPD and PAL and cortisol levels were statistically different (P=0.01) between the control group and groups Case 1 and Case 2. There was no significant difference between Case 1 and Case 2 groups. Conclusion: Subjects with GCP and DM type 2 showed significant higher cortisol levels than healthy subjects. However, the presence of diabetes did not worsen periodontal disease. Key words: Cortisol; periodontal disease; diabetes mellitus