Apical Periodontitis and Glycemic Control in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Egyptian Sub-population

Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the periapical tissues that develops as a consequence of endodontic infection. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with an increased prevalence of apical periodontitis, although the available evidence remains limited and inconsistent. In addition, the relationship between glycemic control and apical periodontitis remains unclear, and population-specific data in Egypt are limited.

This observational cross-sectional study will assess the prevalence of apical periodontitis in diabetic and non-diabetic adult Egyptian patients and evaluate the association between glycemic control and apical periodontitis. Participants will be recruited from outpatient dental clinics of the Endocrine and Diabetes Center in Cairo, Egypt, in collaboration with the Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo university.

Eligible participants will be Egyptian males and females aged 21 years or older with at least eight teeth present. Participants will undergo standardized clinical oral examination, digital panoramic radiographic examination, and measurement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Apical periodontitis will be assessed radiographically based on the presence or absence of periapical radiolucency. Participants will be classified into diabetic and non-diabetic groups according to HbA1c levels.

The primary objective is to assess the prevalence of apical periodontitis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The secondary objective is to evaluate the association between HbA1c levels and the presence of apical periodontitis. The planned sample size is 88 participants, with 44 participants in each group.