Browsing by Author "Stephen, LXG"

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    Diabetic status of patients presenting for dental treatment
    (South African Dental Journal, 2018) Negi, Marwa Milad; Holmes, Haly; Stephen, LXG
    Introduction: Untreated Diabetes mellitus (OM) has severe long-term complications. In 2008, DM affected 4.6% of the South African population. Glycemic status is an indicator of the blood glucose levels. Aim and objectives: To assess the glycemic status and presence of intra-oral soft tissue lesions in a sample of patients presenting at UWC Maxiliofacial outpatient clinic. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carr1ed out on 400 adult patients, 18 years or older. Pregnant patients were excluded. Random blood glucose levels (RBG) were measured in mmoVL on samples of peripheral blood (finger prick) using a glucometer. Results: Of the 400 patients, 51 (12.7%) were either known diabetic patients or newly diagnosed (prediabetic Md diabetic) and 15 (20.4%) of these 51 patients were unaware of their status (undiagnosed). Of the diabetic patients (n=40). 17 (42.5%) had soft tissue lesions. which occurred in 137 of the 340 patients having normal blood glucose levels (39.2%). Oral candidiasis was seen in 25% (n=10) of diabetic patients, compared with the prevalence of 18.3% amongst those with normal blood glucose levels (n=64 out of 349). Conclusion: The study supports the need for general screening of all patients to facilitate early diagnosis of this disease.