Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control of patients with chronic periodontitis and type-2 diabetes mellitus: A 3 month follow-up intervention study

Abstract

Periodontal pathogens and their by-products trigger production of cytokines, acute phase proteins and oxidative stress molecules that impair insulin sensitivity or action. The effect of mechanical treatment alone on metabolic control in diabetes is controversial. The present study compared changes in glycaemic control following full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) by measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level in 15 chronic periodontitis patients with diabetes. At baseline, periodontal examination, HbA1c evaluation and full-mouth SRP was done. Periodontal examination and HbA1c evaluation were repeated after 3 months. Change in HbA1c levels at 3 months was the primary outcome and changes in clinical parameters were secondary outcomes. Statistically significant improvement in periodontal status and HbA1c levels were seen after a follow up of 3 months following SRP. Periodontal treatment improved clinical measures of chronic periodontitis in patients with diabetes, supporting use of nonsurgical periodontal treatment for lowering HbA1c levels.