A randomized, controlled trial on the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Part I: effect on periodontal status and glycaemic control

Abstract

Aim: the purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycaemic control of type 2 diabetes patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis.

Materials and methods: this was a randomized, controlled clinical trial of patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 60 patients with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease were assigned to either a periodontal treatment arm, consisting of scaling and root planing (intervention group [IG]), or a delayed treatment arm that received periodontal care after 6 months (control group [CG]). Periodontal parameters and glycosylated haemoglobin (A1C) were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months.

Results: all periodontal parameters improved significantly in the IG. A1C levels decreased statistically significantly more in the IG versus the CG (0.72%versus 0.13%; p<0.01) independently of other confounders.

Conclusions: this study provides evidence that periodontal treatment contributes to improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Larger controlled trials are needed to confirm if this finding is generalizable to other populations of patients with type 2 diabetes.