Article Date February 15, 2012
Oral blood samples drawn from deep pockets of periodontal inflammation
can be used to measure hemoglobin A1c, an important gauge of a patient's
diabetes
status, an NYU nursing-dental research team has found. Hemoglobin A1c
blood glucose measures from oral blood compare well to those from
finger-stick blood, the researchers say. The findings are from a study
funded by an NYU CTSI (Clinical and Translational Science Institute)
grant awarded to the research team last year.
Hemoglobin A1c is widely used to test for diabetes. According to
guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association, an A1c
reading of 6.5 or more indicates a value in the diabetes range.
The NYU researchers compared hemoglobin A1c levels in paired samples of
oral and finger-stick blood taken from 75 patients with periodontal
disease at the NYU College of Dentistry. A reading of 6.3 or greater in
the oral sample corresponded to a finger stick reading of 6.5 in
identifying the diabetes range, with minimal false positive and false
negative results. The findings were published in the Journal of Periodontology.
"In light of these findings, the dental visit could be a useful
opportunity to conduct an initial diabetes screening - an important
first step in identifying those patients who need further testing to
determine their diabetes status," said the study's principal
investigator, Dr. Shiela Strauss, associate professor of nursing and
co-director of the Statistics and Data Management Core for NYU's
Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.
Dr. Strauss added that some patients may find the oral blood sampling in
a dentist's office to be less invasive than finger stick sampling.
The one-year study utilized a version of a hemoglobin A1c testing kit
that was initially developed specifically to enable dentists and dental
hygienists to collect finger-stick blood samples and send them to a
laboratory for analysis. The testing kit was adapted to enable analysis
of both oral blood and finger-stick samples. Dr. Strauss points out that
the hemoglobin A1c testing method requires only a single drop of blood
to be collected, applied to a special blood collection card, and mailed
to the laboratory when dry.
"There is an urgent need to increase opportunities for diabetes
screening and early diabetes detection," Dr. Strauss added. "The issue
of undiagnosed diabetes is especially critical because early treatment
and secondary prevention efforts may help to prevent or delay the
long-term complications of diabetes that are responsible for reduced
quality of life and increased levels of mortality risk."
The research is part of a series of NYU nursing-dental studies examining
the feasibility of screening for diabetes and other physical illnesses
in the dental setting.
Dr. Strauss plans additional research on oral blood hemoglobin A1c
testing involving a broader pool of subjects and dental practice sites.
Dr. Strauss's study is dedicated to the memory of the late Alla Wheeler,
Clinical Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene, who played a major role
in an earlier NYU nursing-dental study on the link between diabetes and
periodontal disease.
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Online article can be found here.
For information about Dental Support Plus Franchise, please visit our website.
Co-investigators on the study included Ms. Janet Tuthill,
clinical assistant professor of dental hygiene at NYU College of
Dentistry; Dr. David Rindskopf, professor of educational psychology at
the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New
York, Dr. Jack A. Maggiore, president of Healthy Life Laboratories; Dr.
Robert S. Schoor, clinical associate professor of periodontology and
implant dentistry at the NYU College of Dentistry; Dr. Stefanie Russell,
clinical assistant professor of epidemiology and health promotion at
the NYU College of Dentistry; and Dr. Mary Rosedale, assistant professor
of nursing at the NYU College of Nursing.
New York University. (2012, February 15). “Screening For Diabetes
Using Blood From Periodontal Disease.” Medical News Today. Retrieved
from
No comments:
Post a Comment