Objective: To assess the prevalence of Candida Albicans colonization among type 2 diabetic patients using dentures and to investigate the importance of glycemic control in limiting the presence of colonies.
Methodology: This observational prospective cohort study was carried out at the Royal Medical Services Hospitals from September 2021 to January 2022. Endocrinologist and Prosthodontist were involved in enrolling candidates for the study which included 96 patients. Denture wearers with type II diabetes were considered as the study group while denture wearers who are not diabetic were considered as controls. Samples were collected from the impression surface of the maxillary denture by scrapping it with a sterile swab. Plates were examined for candidal growth after the 48 hours.
Results: Out of 96 patients, 55 (57.3%) tested positive for candida, while 41 (42.7) were negative. Among the diabetic patients, 79.4% with uncontrolled blood sugar levels tested positive for oral candida, compared to 50% among the controlled blood sugar levels group. Regarding the non-diabetic patients, 40% tested positive to oral candida, compared to 65.2% among the diabetic patients.
Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of good glycemic control in ameliorating and preventing occurrence of candida infection in denture wearers. Regular follow up is considered one of the cornerstones in discovering the infection at an early stage.
Key words: Candida Albicans, Type II diabetes, denture, colonization, infection, hyperglycemia.
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