Clinical and epigenetic determinants of edentulism in type 2 diabetic subjects referring to a tertiary center

Aims: Edentulism, extreme consequence of severe periodontitis, carries a high cardiovascular and all-cause death risk. The prevailing phenotype of edentulous patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has never been defined, neither it is known whether an epigenetic signature of such condition exists. Methods: We collected clinical and biochemical data and administered a questionnaire on oral health in 248 consecutive T2D individuals. Vital status was checked after 17 ± 7 months. miRNAs involved in periodontal inflammation were measured. Results: Forty-seven patients (19%) were edentulous (ED), a higher prevalence than in the Italian general population (10.9% from ISTAT data). ED were older, with low level of instruction and higher fasting glucose vs not edentulous (noED). Participants displayed a scarce awareness of the association periodontitis-T2D. ED showed a specific epigenetic signature (lower miR214-5p and higher miR126-5p urinary levels). At the follow-up, metabolic profile similarly improved in ED and noED; death occurrence was similar. Conclusions: In this cohort of T2D, age is the only variable associated with edentulism; such condition displays an epigenetic signature, independent of the clinical phenotype; awareness of the clinical relevance and implications of periodontitis and edentulism are scarce. However, edentulism does not mark an increased rate of micro-macrovascular complications or mortality.