Salivary alterations in diabetes mellitus

Separately collected parotid and submaxillary salivary samples from 20 diabetic and 20 matched control subjects were analyzed for flow rate, electrolyte content and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) levels. Flow rates did not vary significantly between the two groups of subjects; calcium ion content, however, was higher in the diabetic subjects for both salivary glands. The presence of salivary IgG in 6 of 10 patients was also a significant finding. Any attempts to draw a conclusion as to the severity of periodontal disease and diabetic mellitus from the above findings is still speculative but does indicate further areas of research.