title: Six-month outcomes in dental patients identified with hyperglycaemia: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess an approach to improving behavioural and glycaemic outcomes in dental patients who present with diabetes risk factors and previously unrecognized hyperglycaemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 101 individuals identified with potential diabetes or pre-diabetes into two interventions. In the basic/control intervention, participants were informed about their diabetes risk factors and blood test result, and advised to see a physician. In the enhanced/test intervention, patients received a detailed explanation of findings and their implications, a written report for the physician, and were contacted at 2 and 4 months to inquire whether medical follow-up had occurred. At a 6-month re-evaluation, outcome measures included visit to physician, positive lifestyle changes and reduction in HbA1c.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three subjects returned for the 6-month visit. The two intervention groups did not significantly differ in any of the outcome variables. Eighty-four percent of subjects reported having visited a physician post-randomization, and 49% reported at least one positive lifestyle change as a result of our intervention. In subjects identified with potential diabetes (baseline HbA1c ≥ 6.5%), HbA1c was reduced 1.46 ± 0.28% compared to baseline (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes risk assessment and education by dental professionals of affected individuals unaware of their status may contribute to improved patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Periodontics, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lalla
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kunzel
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burkett
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Ira B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Lamster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003729:Dental Care; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: diabetes; early diagnosis; health promotion; periodontitis; pre-diabetes; risk assessment