Factors Associated with Self-Report of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults Seeking Dental Care in a Developing Country

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to identify the prevalence and risk indicators of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in urban-based Mexican adults seeking care in a university-based triage/intake dental clinic, and to develop a predictive model. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3354 medical/dental records of adults who sought care at the triage/intake dental clinics of a public university. The dependent variable was self-report of a previous diagnosis of T2DM made by a physician. Several socio-demographic and socioeconomic covariates were included, as well as others related to oral and general health. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was generated. We subsequently calculated well-known statistical measures employed to evaluate discrimination (classification) using an (adjusted) multivariate logistic regression model (goodness-of-fit test). The average age of patients was 42.5 ± 16.1 years old and the majority were female (64.1%). The prevalence of T2DM was 10.7% (95%CI = 9.7–11.8). In the final multivariate model, the variables associated (p < 0.05) with the presence of T2DM were older age (40 to 59 years old, OR = 2.00; 60 to 95 years old, OR = 2.78), having any type of health insurance (OR = 2.33), having high blood pressure (OR = 1.70), being obese (OR = 1.41), and having a functional dentition (OR = 0.68). Although the global fit of the model and the calibration tests were adequate, the sensitivity (0.0%) and positive predictive (0.0%) values were not. The specificity (100%) and negative predictive (89.3%) values, as well as the correctly classified (89.3%) value, were adequate. The area under the ROC curve, close to 0.70, was modest. In conclusion, a prevalence of T2DM of 10.7% in this sample of Mexican adults seeking dental care was similar to national figures. Clinical (blood pressure, BMI and functional dentition), demographic (age), and socioeconomic (health insurance) variables were found to be associated with T2DM. The dental setting could be appropriate for implementing preventive actions focused on identifying and helping to reduce the burden of T2DM in the population.