Background. A correlation has been noted between
diabetes mellitus (DM) and changes in the oral cavity. The present study aimed to estimate, compare, and correlate serum and salivary
glucose and
IgA levels and salivary candidal carriage in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Methods. Eighty-eight subjects were categorized into three groups: group 1 (controlled DM; n=27), group 2 (uncontrolled DM; n=32) and group 3 (non-diabetics; n=29). Serum and salivary
glucose levels were estimated by
glucose oxidase/
peroxidase method, serum and salivary
IgA by a diagnostic kit, and candidal colonization by inoculating samples into Sabouraud
dextrose agar plate. Statistical analyses were carried out by one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey tests, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results. Significant elevation of serum
IgA levels was observed in group 2 compared to group 3 and significant decreases in salivary
IgA levels in groups 1 and 2. The candidal carriage was significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 3. Serum
glucose and salivary
IgA levels showed a significant correlation in group 1. There was a positive correlation between serum/ salivary
glucose and serum/salivary
IgA levels in group 2. In addition, there was a significant correlation between serum
glucose and serum
IgA levels in group 3. Conclusion. Saliva could be a potential, non-invasive diagnostic tool to estimate
glucose levels. The evaluation of salivary components, like
IgA, might be useful in diagnosing and managing
oral manifestations in diabetic individuals. Elevated salivary
glucose levels contribute to elevated candidal carriage, making individuals susceptible to
oral candidiasis.