Stimulated Saliva Glucose as a Diagnostic Specimen for Detection of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Saliva is believed to be a mirror of the body, and may be acknowledged as a promising medium for monitoring health and disease condition of an individual in healthcare programs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the stimulated saliva glucose as a diagnostic specimen in clinical practices for detection of diabetes mellitus. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was carried out on 30 patients with diabetes mellitus aged 25-71 years (mean ± SEM: 53.7 ± 1.2) who hospitalized with diabetes side effects, and 30 healthy control subjects aged 25-71 (52.7 ± 1.9) years. Serum and saliva samples were obtained. Glucose level was determined by an enzymatic colorimetric GOD-PAP assay. Statistical analysis of the Student's t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Results: The mean of stimulated whole saliva glucose level was significantly higher in the case than in the control group (P = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between serum and saliva glucose concentration (r = 0.64, P = 0. 001). Conclusions: It can be concluded that salivary level of glucose may reflect the serum values.It seems that salivary glucose can be used as an alternative of serum glucose for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus.