The effect of periodontal therapy on uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus in older subjects

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of periodontal therapy on glycemic control in older type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: Fifty-two diabetic patients, age 55-80 years (mean age = 61 years), with glycated hemoglobin (HbAIc) 7.5-11.0% (mean ± s.d. = 8.98 ± 0.88) and severe periodontitis were included in the present study. The treatment group received mechanical periodontal treatment combined with systemic doxycycline, 1OO mg day-1 for 14 days. The control group received neither periodontal treatment nor systemic doxycycline. Clinical periodontal parameters, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and HbAIc levels were measures at baseline and 3 months. RESULTS: Periodontal treatment significantly improved periodontal status of the treatment group (P < 0.05), however the reduction in the level of FPG and HbAIc did not reach significance. In the control group, no significant changes in clinical periodontal parameters, FPG and HbAIc levels were observed, except for significant increase in attachment loss (P < 0.05). Comparing the two groups, although the 3-month level of HbAIc of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group, the difference did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that the periodontal condition of older Thais with uncontrolled diabetes is: (a) significantly improved 3 months after mechanical periodontal therapy with adjunctive systemic antimicrobial treatment, and (b) rapidly deteriorating without periodontal treatment. The effect of periodontal therapy on the glycemic control of older uncontrolled diabetics will require further studies that will have to include much larger sample sizes. © 2005 Blackwell Munksgaard All rights reserved.