title: Insulin resistance and periodontal disease: an epidemiologic overview of research needs and future directions.
abstract: Poor periodontal health is known to be associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This relationship and underlying mechanisms are discussed elsewhere in this issue. Less is known concerning the link between the metabolic precursors to DM, including insulin resistance (IR), and its possible association with periodontitis. Indeed, there has been relatively little research to date in human populations concerning periodontal disease, IR, and the subsequent risk of chronic diseases, including DM. This paper will present an epidemiologist's view of how IR may link periodontal disease with DM and suggest several avenues of investigation to help clarify some of the outstanding issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. rpd1@acsu.buffalo.edu
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005544:Forecasting; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha