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Diabetes mellitus is a common systemic disease whose incidence is currently rising in our contemporary world. In recent years, it has been well-known that chronic periodontitis is listed as an important segment of the complications of diabetes mellitus. Along with chronic periodontitis several other oral manifestations such as increased incidence of dental caries, aphthous ulcers, xerostomia, burning mouth syndrome, etc. It has also been seen that those with diabetes mellitus are more prone to such oral conditions when compared to healthy individuals. Awareness regarding the bidirectional relationship between diabetes mellitus and general oral health, which is bidirectional in nature has shown to be unsatisfactory among the general public and those with diabetes whereas there is satisfactory awareness among physicians and dental practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Preeclampsia is a challenging disease of human pregnancy that affects the mother and her foetus. It is a common obstetric syndrome of undefined aetiology affecting 7-10% of pregnant women. This study aimed to investigate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, malondialdehyde levels, uric acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E levels in serum and saliva of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontitis. Methods: Sixty pregnant women, divided into four groups, preeclamptic women with and without periodontitis, and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontitis, were recruited between 26 and 36 weeks of gestation from the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KS Hedge Hospital, Mangalore. Pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and gingival index were measured in all subjects. Saliva and serum levels of TAC, SOD, and GPx activities, malondialdehyde levels, vitamin C, vitamin E, uric acid were determined using spectrophotometer. Results: Comparison of sociodemographic variables among the study groups showed no significant differences. Salivary malondialdehyde levels were highest ( p = 0.025), levels of antioxidants vitamin C ( p = 0.027) and uric acid ( p = 0.013) being significantly lower in preeclamptic women with periodontitis. This group also had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin C ( p = 0.041) and SOD ( p = 0.004). Conclusions: The results of our study show that periodontal disease may be potential risk factor for severity, progression, and even initiation of preeclampsia because of reduced antioxidant capacity or increased oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]