Objective: To determine the prevalence of
Candida
species and to study factors associated to oral cavity colonization
in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: A total of 107 diabetics were classified into controlled and uncontrolled according to glycosylated
hemoglobin values. Each patient was assessed for stimulated salivary flow rates, pH, and an oral rinse to search
for yeast. The study also determined the state of oral health via Klein and Palmer CPO indexes for permanent
dentition, dental plaque by O’Leary, and a periodontal chart.
Results: We found yeasts in 74.8% of the patients. A total of 36 of the 52 subjects with controlled diabetes presented
yeasts and 44 in the uncontrolled; no significant differences (p = 0.2) were noted among the presence of
yeasts and the control of blood glucose. The largest number of isolates corresponded to
Candida albicans
, followed by
Candida parapsilosis
. Uncontrolled individuals presented a significantly higher percentage of yeast different from
C.
albicans (p = 0.049).
Conclusions: We found a high percentage of
Candida colonization and uncontrolled individuals had greater
diversity of species. The wide range of CFU/ml found both in patients with oral candidiasis, as well as in those
without it did not permit distinguishing between colonization and disease. We only found association between
isolation of yeasts and the low rate of salivary flow.
