BACKGROUND
Complete edentulism constitutes global health care burden. People with no teeth fail to eat and speak effectively. This results in emotional alterations and a reduction in quality of life of the patients, raising their stress levels. Stressful situations cause increased blood pressure and heart rate resulting in the secretion of cortisol hormone, which is a cardinal regulator of physiologic stress response. Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis causing hyperglycemia, which may favor the occurrence of Diabetes and other glucose metabolism disorders. As the diabetics population is rapidly rising throughout the world and with growing life expectancy, Prosthodontists are certain to see more number of diabetic edentulous patients. Thus, there is a need to assess the relationship of complete denture rehabilitation with the generic health of edentulous patients which can be done by checking the stress levels, with the help of hormonal markers and their effects on systemic health.
OBJECTIVE
To determine anxiety levels and Salivary Cortisol levels in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients and compare and correlate them before and after rehabilitation with Complete Dentures.
METHODS
It will be a cross-sectional study, carried out on edentulous diabetic patients visiting the OPD of Department of Prosthodontics of Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital. With consent of the patients for participation, Glycated Hemoglobin will be measured and anxiety levels will be determined using a DASS-21 Questionnaire along with fabrication of a new set of complete dentures. Patients will be assessed at two stages; before and 1 month after complete denture rehabilitation. The data obtained will be analysed using student paired t-test.
RESULTS
Significant reduction in anxiety levels after Complete Denture Rehabilitation and thus, a definitive correlation between anxiety and salivary cortisol levels.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient’s adaptation to new dentures can be improved by the professional’s by gaining knowledge of the relationship between dental rehabilitation and the overall health of edentulous patients.