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Background: The health of oral tissues is known to be related to salivary flow and its composition which may be altered in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study is to correlate mixed salivary glucose levels and oral candidal carriage and to assess the prevalence of candidal carriage in diabetics and controls. Methods: Thirty adults with type-2 diabetes and 30 without diabetes (control subjects), aged 30-60 yr, participated in the study. Unstimulated saliva was collected and investigated for glucose levels (using glucose oxidase method) and colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida, this was stained with two stains, periodic acid-schiff stain and Grocott Gomori stain. Results: In the present study mixed salivary glucose concentration in diabetics was significantly higher (p<0.01) compared to the controls. Diabetics with intraoral candidal carriage had higher salivary glucose levels (mean = 12.76±5.85 mg/dl) compared to cases where Candida was not isolated. The diabetics without intraoral candidal carriage had lower salivary glucose levels (mean = 5.36±2.24 mg/dl). This relationship could be seen in controls (non-diabetics) also. Diabetics showed an oral candidal carriage rate of 80% which was significantly higher compared to nondiabetics who showed an oral candidal carriage rate of 40%. Conclusion: Mixed salivary glucose levels were significantly higher in diabetics. The possible high salivary glucose level could predispose to oral candidal infection. So saliva can be used as a quick, non-invasive tool to assess the oral candidal status and possible infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: India has over 50 million diabetics, a great socio-economic burden due to associated mortality and morbidity. As diet has pivotal role in management, good knowledge and its correct practice is vital for management of diabetes. Aim: To study the knowledge and practices of diet in type 2 diabetes belonging to low socioeconomic group. Methodology: 100 diabetic patients attending OPD at chigetteri hospital with low socioeconomic group. They were in interviewed based on questions prepared for the study. Results: 100 patients both male and female were interviewed. Their knowledge about diabetes status is poor, 92% believed that diet modification would help in control of diabetes but only 51% followed some restrictions. Patients educational background was very poor which might have contributed for their reluctance and ignorance. Patients received knowledge and information about diabetes from the treating physician. There were no educational programmes to teach them about the disease or its management. Conclusion: There is urgent need for diabetes education programmes. If this generation is educated about diabetes and prevention of complications, future generation will be free of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]