Periodontal treatment associated with improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.
METHODS
This was a randomised controlled trial (RCT).


METHODS
Patients randomised to the treatment group received oral hygiene instruction, full-mouth scaling and root planing performed under local anaesthesia. The control group received no periodontal treatment during the study period, but after completion of the study these patients were given full nonsurgical and supportive periodontal treatment if needed.


METHODS
Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded . Venous blood samples were taken from each patient baseline and at the third month following the periodontal treatment; these were analysed for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-prandial glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and microalbuminurea.


RESULTS
A statistically significant effect could be demonstrated for PI, GI, PPD, CAL and BOP for the treatment group. HbA1c levels in the treatment group decreased significantly whereas the control group showed a slight but not statistically significant increase for this parameter.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study showed that nonsurgical periodontal treatment is associated with improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients and could be undertaken along with the standard measures for the diabetic patient care.
Garcia
Raul
R
Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Northeast Center for Research to Evaluate and Eliminate Dental Disparities, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.