title: Local drug delivery of 0.5% azithromycin in the treatment of chronic periodontitis among smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Along with conventional periodontal surgical therapy, local delivery of antibiotics may provide more effective treatment in smokers by targeting tissue-invasive bacteria. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial was to evaluate the adjunctive effects of subgingivally delivered 0.5% azithromycin (AZM) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis in smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients were randomized and categorized into two treatment groups: Group 1 - 26 subjects who received (SRP) plus placebo gel and Group 2 - 28 subjects who received (SRP) plus 0.5% azithromycin. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months. They included Plaque Index (PI), modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Azithromycin resulted in significant improvements. A single application of AZM resulted in attachment gain at 9 months of 2.44 ± 0.64 mm as compared to 0.18 ± 0.68 mm for the placebo. Similarly, pocket depth and PI were significantly reduced but no change in the mSBI was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When compared to the placebo, the adjunctive use of 0.5% AZM resulted in significant improvement in clinical outcome in the treatment of chronic periodontitis among smokers.
authors: Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India. periodonticsgdcri@gmail.com
authors: A R
authors: AR
authors: Pradeep
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Bajaj
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Agarwal
authors: N S
authors: NS
authors: Rao
authors: S B
authors: SB
authors: Naik
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Kalra
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Priyanka
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Priyanaka
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D016745:Root Planing / Q000379:methods; D012907:Smoking; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005782:Gels; D017963:Azithromycin