Does periodontal treatment improve glycemic control in diabetic patients? A meta-analysis of intervention studies

Current scientific evidence for why periodontitis should be included in diabetes management

This Perspective provides a brief summary of the scientific evidence for the two-way links between periodontal diseases and hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus [DM] and pre-DM). It delivers in a nutshell current scientific evidence for manifestations of hyperglycemia on periodontal health status and effects of periodontal diseases on blood glucose levels and in turn incidence, progression, and complications of diabetes. Of outmost importance is presentation of scientific evidence for the potential of routine periodontal treatment to lower blood glucose levels, providing a novel, economical tool in DM management. Non-surgical periodontal treatment ("deep cleaning") can be provided by dental hygienists or dentists in general dental offices, although severe cases should be referred to specialists. Such therapy can decrease the costs of DM care and other health care costs for people with DM. The great importance of a healthy oral cavity free of infection and subsequent inflammation - especially periodontitis that if untreated will cause loosening and eventually loss of affected teeth - has largely gone unnoticed by the medical community as the health care curricula are largely void of content regarding the bi-directional links between oral health and systemic health, despite elevation of blood glucose levels being an integral part of the general systemic inflammation response. The importance of keeping disease-free, natural teeth for proper biting and chewing, smiling, self-esteem, and pain avoidance cannot be overestimated. Medical and dental professionals are strongly encouraged to collaborate in patient-centered care for their mutual patients with - or at risk for - hyperglycemia.

Association between dental visit behavior and mortality: a nationwide longitudinal cohort study from NHANES

OBJECTIVES

The benefits of professional dental treatment for oral diseases have been widely investigated. However, it is unclear whether professional dental treatment provides additional benefits for improving general health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2004 and 2011 to 2018 cycles. A total of 36,174 participants were included and followed-up for mortality until December 31, 2019. Dental visit behavior was defined as the time interval of last dental visit (TIDV, < 0.5 year, 0.5-1 year, 1-2 years, 2-5 years, and > 5 years) and the main reasons of the last dental visit (treatment, examination, and other reasons). The Cox proportional risk model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Compared with participants with time interval of less than 0.5 year, the multivariate-adjusted HRs and 95%CI for participants with time interval of more than 5 years were 1.45 (1.31, 1.61) for all-cause mortality (P trend < 0.0001), 1.49 (1.23, 1.80) for cardiovascular diseases mortality (P trend = 0.0009) and 1.53 (1.29, 1.81) for cancer mortality (P trend = 0.013). Compared with dental visit for examination, participants who had their dental visit for treatment had higher risk for mortality. For participants with dental visit for examination, TIDV of less than 1 year showed lower risk for mortality, whereas TIDV of less than 0.5 year is recommend for population with dental visit for treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor dental visit behavior is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Further well-designed studies are needed to confirm the association between professional dental visit and mortality.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study highlights the potential benefits of regular dental visits in maintaining general health.

Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy on Systemic Inflammatory Markers, Glycemic Status and Levels of Proteinuria in Type 2 Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients With Chronic Periodontitis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on systemic inflammatory markers, glycemic status, and levels of proteinuria in Type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic individuals with chronic periodontitis.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 120 patients, categorized into three groups of 40 each, were included in this randomized observational study. Group 1 comprised patients with chronic periodontitis; Group 2 had chronic periodontitis with controlled diabetes; and Group 3 represented patients with chronic periodontitis with uncontrolled diabetes based on fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Periodontal clinical parameters like plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels were evaluated. Blood samples and urine samples were collected and assessed for the levels of FBS, HbA1c, total protein, albumin, globulin, and proteinuria. All parameters recorded at baseline and three months after non-surgical periodontal therapy were analyzed for statistical significance at p <.05 using SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in the periodontal clinical parameters within the groups, except for the clinical attachment level in Group 1 patients (p = 0.05), was observed. Glycemic status revealed a significant reduction after non-surgical periodontal therapy (p < 0.001), and on intragroup comparison, the total protein, albumin, globulin, and microprotein blood and urine levels showed significance among the evaluated groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Non-surgical periodontal treatment can effectively improve the periodontal and circulating inflammatory status. Results of our study showed improved glycemic control and a reduction in systemic inflammatory markers and proteinuria after performing non-surgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effectiveness of subgingival irrigation and powered toothbrush as home care maintenance protocol in type 2 diabetic patients with active periodontal disease: A 4-month randomized controlled trial

Background

There is a bidirectional link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Control of active periodontal infection is an essential requisite to maintain optimal oral and systemic health in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of subgingival irrigation and powered toothbrush as home care maintenance protocol in type 2 diabetic patients with active periodontal disease compared to routine oral hygiene.

Materials and Methods

Forty (n = 40) diabetic (HbA1c >7%) patients were enrolled in this parallel, examiner-blind, interventional clinical trial. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (sonic toothbrush and irrigation with water twice daily) or Group B (manual toothbrush and mouth rinsing with 0.12% Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) twice daily)). All patients received Phase I therapybefore the start of the study. Clinical parameters (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI], oral hygiene index [OHI], pocket depth [PD], clinical attachment level [CAL], and bleeding index [BI]) were assessed at baseline, 1, 2, and 4 months. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), HbA1c, and interleukin (IL)-1 β were assessed at baseline and 4 months only. Verbal and written instructions were provided to each subject specific to their intervention allocation. Descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric analyses were used where appropriate.

Results

Sixteen (n = 16) patients in Group A and fifteen (n = 15) patients in Group B completed the 4-month study. Both groups showed a significant difference in BI, PD, CAL, and HbA1c from baseline to 4 months. There were no differences within groups for OHI, GI, or PI and CRP, IL-1 β. The results are based on an underpowered study due to the drop out of 9 patients reducing the number below the needed 19 patients per group based on the power analysis.

Conclusion

Results from this study provide information for future studies on self-care regimens for individuals living with Type 2 diabetes.

Discovering genetic linkage between periodontitis and type 1 diabetes: A bioinformatics study

Background: Relationship between periodontitis (PD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been reported, but the detailed pathogenesis requires further elucidation. This study aimed to reveal the genetic linkage between PD and T1D through bioinformatics analysis, thereby providing novel insights into scientific research and clinical treatment of the two diseases.

Methods: PD-related datasets (GSE10334, GSE16134, GSE23586) and T1D-related datasets(GSE162689)were downloaded from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Following batch correction and merging of PD-related datasets as one cohort, differential expression analysis was performed (adjusted p-value &lt;0.05 and ∣log2  fold change| &gt; 0.5), and common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PD and T1D were extracted. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted via Metascape website. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of common DEGs was generated in The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database. Hub genes were selected by Cytoscape software and validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: 59 common DEGs of PD and T1D were identified. Among these DEGs, 23 genes were commonly upregulated, and 36 genes were commonly downregulated in both PD- and T1D-related cohorts. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that common DEGs were mainly enriched in tube morphogenesis, supramolecular fiber organization, 9 + 0 non-motile cilium, plasma membrane bounded cell projection assembly, glomerulus development, enzyme-linked receptor protein signaling pathway, endochondral bone morphogenesis, positive regulation of kinase activity, cell projection membrane and regulation of lipid metabolic process. After PPI construction and modules selection, 6 hub genes (CD34, EGR1, BBS7, FMOD, IGF2, TXN) were screened out and expected to be critical in linking PD and T1D. ROC analysis showed that the AUC values of hub genes were all greater than 70% in PD-related cohort and greater than 60% in T1D-related datasets.

Conclusion: Shared molecular mechanisms between PD and T1D were revealed in this study, and 6 hub genes were identified as potential targets in treating PD and T1D.

Better Gingival Status in Patients with Comorbidity of Type 1 Diabetes and Thyroiditis in Comparison with Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and No Thyroid Disease-A Preliminary Study

Periodontal disease has been postulated as one of the chronic complications of diabetes. The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is higher. The aim of the study was to determine the association between the presence of thyroiditis and gingival status in adults with T1D. A total of 264 patients, 119 men aged 18-45, diagnosed with T1D were included. For further analysis, the study group was divided into two subgroups, with or without autoimmune thyroiditis. Gingival status was assessed with the use of gingival indices. Patients diagnosed with T1D and thyroiditis presented lower plaque accumulation (p = 0.01) and lower-grade gingivitis (p = 0.02). Approximal Plaque Index (API) in all study groups correlated positively with age (Rs = 0.24; p = 0.0001), body mass index (BMI) (Rs = 0.22; p = 0.0008), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (Rs = 0.18; p = 0.006), high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) (Rs = 0.17; p = 0.009), total cholesterol (T-Chol) (Rs = 0.17; p = 0.01) and negatively with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (Rs = -0.2; p = 0.02). Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis indicated TSH, BMI and gender as independent predictors of dental plaque accumulation in patients with T1D. Autoimmune thyroiditis was associated with a lower accumulation of dental plaque and better gingival status in patients with T1D.

Periodontitis and implant complications in diabetes

Epidemiologic evidence indicates that periodontitis is more frequent in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls, suggesting that it could be considered the "sixth complication" of diabetes. Actually, diabetes mellitus and periodontitis are two extraordinarily prevalent chronic diseases that share a number of comorbidities all converging toward an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Periodontal treatment has recently been shown to have the potential to improve the metabolic control of diabetes, although long-term studies are lacking. Uncontrolled diabetes also seems to affect the response to periodontal treatment, as well as the risk to develop peri-implant diseases. Mechanisms of associations between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease include the release of advanced glycation end products as a result of hyperglycemia and a range of shared predisposing factors of genetic, microbial, and lifestyle nature. This review discusses the evidence for the risk of periodontal and peri-implant disease in diabetic patients and the potential role of the dental professional in the diabetes-periodontal interface.

Type 1 diabetes and periodontal disease: a literature review

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review examines the literature on type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and periodontitis pathogenesis, seeking to determine the effectiveness of periodontal therapy in improving glycemic control in individuals with T1DM.

METHODS

A detailed search of the literature was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews with meta-analyses published between 2015 and 2020, and human peer-reviewed clinical trials addressing the effectiveness of periodontal treatment on glycemic control in individuals with T1DM published between 1995 and 2020.

RESULTS

The search retrieved 3 systematic reviews and 9 original research papers that included 10 clinical studies.

DISCUSSION

Three systematic reviews on T1DM and periodontal disease suggested that individuals with T1DM have more features of periodontitis than healthy subjects, although long-term data are scarce. Nine of the ten clinical studies showed no impact on glycemic control in individuals with T1DM, while 1 study reported improvement.

CONCLUSION

The selected literature lacked data on long term assessment and adequate randomization with controls. The data perused did not provide sufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of periodontal therapy in improving glycemic control in type 1 diabetes or to suggest that T1DM is a risk factor for periodontal disease.

Periodontal Diseases: Major Exacerbators of Pulmonary Diseases?

Periodontal diseases are a range of polymicrobial infectious disorders, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which affect tooth-supporting tissues and are linked to playing a role in the exacerbation of several pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary diseases, such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, tuberculosis, COVID-19, and bronchiectasis, significantly contribute to poor quality of life and mortality. The association between periodontal disease and pulmonary outcomes is an important topic and requires further attention. Numerous resident microorganisms coexist in the oral cavity and lungs. However, changes in the normal microflora due to oral disease, old age, lifestyle habits, or dental intervention may contribute to altered aspiration of oral periodontopathic bacteria into the lungs and changing inflammatory responses. Equally, periodontal diseases are associated with the longitudinal decline in spirometry lung volume. Several studies suggest a possible beneficial effect of periodontal therapy in improving lung function with a decreased frequency of exacerbations and reduced risk of adverse respiratory events and morbidity. Here, we review the current literature outlining the link between the oral cavity and pulmonary outcomes and focus on the microflora of the oral cavity, environmental and genetic factors, and preexisting conditions that can impact oral and pulmonary outcomes.

Adjunctive Er:YAG laser in non-surgical periodontal therapy of patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus: A split-mouth randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Limited studies are available comparing the outcomes of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) with or without adjunctive Er:YAG laser (ERL) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated the effects of ERL adjunctive NSPT on single-rooted teeth of inadequately controlled T2DM patients with periodontitis.

METHODS

Twenty-two inadequately controlled T2DM participants with periodontitis were recruited. Adopting a double-blinded split-mouth design and under block randomization, we investigated the effects of ERL in calculus removal then degranulation mode, or a sham treatment, adjunct NSPT, which included two visits of full-mouth root surface debridement delivered within 4-10 days, to test or control single-rooted teeth (Wuxi Stomatology Hospital, trial 2017-016). We followed periodontal parameters (plaque %, bleeding on probing [BOP] %, probing pocket depth [PPD], probing attachment level [PAL]) and selected systemic parameters (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c%], high sensitivity C-reactive protein) at baseline, one, three, and six months after periodontal treatment.

RESULTS

The study was completed as planned. Periodontal parameters, FPG and HbA1c% of the 22 participants appeared significantly improved at six months (p < 0.001). The 44 ERL treated, compared to 44 sham treated single-rooted teeth exhibited significant improvement in BOP, mean PPD, and mean PAL at various postoperative follow-up time points (effect size ≥0.44; p < 0.001). No adverse event was reported.

CONCLUSION

Periodontal treatment outcomes in the T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control were better in the single-rooted teeth received ERL adjunct NSPT. Further studies are warranted to confirm the observations reported in this short-term clinical study.

Diabetes and Oral Health: Summary of Current Scientific Evidence for Why Transdisciplinary Collaboration Is Needed

This Perspective provides a brief summary of the scientific evidence for the often two-way links between hyperglycemia, including manifest diabetes mellitus (DM), and oral health. It delivers in a nutshell examples of current scientific evidence for the following oral manifestations of hyperglycemia, along with any available evidence for effect in the opposite direction: periodontal diseases, caries/periapical periodontitis, tooth loss, peri-implantitis, dry mouth (xerostomia/hyposalivation), dysbiosis in the oral microbiome, candidiasis, taste disturbances, burning mouth syndrome, cancer, traumatic ulcers, infections of oral wounds, delayed wound healing, melanin pigmentation, fissured tongue, benign migratory glossitis (geographic tongue), temporomandibular disorders, and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Evidence for effects on quality of life will also be reported. This condensed overview delivers the rationale and sets the stage for the urgent need for delivery of oral and general health care in patient-centered transdisciplinary collaboration for early detection and management of both hyperglycemia and oral diseases to improve quality of life.

Effects of multiple sessions of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in the treatment of periodontitis in patients with uncompensated type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled clinical study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare, through clinical and microbiological analysis, the use of multiple applications of aPDT as an adjuvant therapy to non-surgical periodontal treatment of stage III and IV grade C periodontitis in type 2 diabetic (DM2) patients.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients with non-compensated DM2 and periodontitis were randomly divided into two groups: SRP Group (n = 17): scaling and root planing (SRP); and SRP+aPDT Group (n = 17): SRP followed by 3 consecutive aPDT applications, immediately, 48 and 96 h after in pockets with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm. In SRP+aPDT, after 1 min of irrigation with methylene blue (10 mg/ml), the sites were irradiated with a 660 nm diode laser for 50 s (157 J/cm², 4.7 J, 100 mW). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) were quantified by real-time qPCR. Periodontal clinical and microbiological data (baseline, 90 and 180 days) were statistically analyzed (α = 5%).

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in PD and bleeding on probing at 90 and 180 days post-treatment in both groups (p<0.05). The SRP+aPDT group presented a significant reduction in the number of residual pockets at 90 and 180 days (p<0.05). The SRP+aPDT group presented reduced PD means in deep pockets 180 days post-treatment (p<0.05). No differences were observed in P. gingivalis and P. intermedia levels (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of present study indicate that the use of multiples aPDT sessions as adjuvant therapy in the periodontal treatment of uncompensated diabetic patients with periodontitis promotes additional clinical benefits.

HbA1c changes in patients with diabetes following periodontal therapy

Purpose

This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with both type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis.

Methods

The intervention cohort (IC) comprised 133 patients with type 2 diabetes who received nonsurgical periodontal treatment, while the matching cohort (MC) included 4787 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Asan Medical Center. The patients in each cohort were divided into 3 groups according to their baseline HbA1c level: subgroup 1, HbA1c <7%; subgroup 2, 7%≤ HbA1c <9%; and subgroup 3, HbA1c ≥9%. Changes in HbA1c levels from baseline to 6 and 12 months were analyzed. In addition, the association between changes in HbA1c levels and the number of periodontal maintenance visits was investigated.

Results

There were no statistically significant changes in HbA1c levels in the IC and MC or their subgroups when evaluated with repeated-measures analysis of variance. However, the IC showed maintenance of baseline HbA1c levels, while the MC had a trend for HbA1c levels to steadily increase as shown by pairwise comparisons (baseline to 6 months and baseline to 12 months). IC subgroup 1 also maintained steady HbA1c levels from 6 months to 12 months, whereas MC subgroup 1 presented a steady increase during the same period. The number of periodontal maintenance visits had no association with changes in HbA1c levels during the 1-year study duration.

Conclusions

For patients with both type 2 diabetes and periodontitis, nonsurgical periodontal treatment and periodontal maintenance may help to control HbA1c levels.

Comparative evaluation of improvement in periodontal and glycemic health status of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients after scaling and root planing with or without adjunctive use of diode laser

BACKGROUND

Periodontal treatment in diabetic patients reduces systemic inflammatory burden and hence should be closely coordinated with the patient's overall clinical diabetic management.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of diode laser (DL) (Biolase Epic^TM, 940 nm, Irvine, CA, USA) as an adjunct to scaling root and planing (SRP) on periodontal health and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients suffering from generalized chronic periodontitis (CP), currently, stage II or above/grade B or C periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

After initial screening of 55 T2DM patients, a total of 44 T2DM-CP patients (between the age group of 30 and 65 years) were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. The groups were divided into control group (n=22), treated with scaling and root planing alone (SRP alone), and experimental group (n=22), treated with scaling and root planing along with laser therapy (SRP + DL). Laser irradiation was accomplished at perio pocket setting of 0.8 W (average) in a pulse interval of 1.0 ms and pulse length of 1.0 ms delivering 24 J of energy using a 300-μm fiber optic delivery system.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven out of 44 enrolled T2DM-CP patients completed the study. Both treatment modalities, i.e., SRP alone and SRP+DL resulted in mean significant (p < 0.001) improvement in periodontal health parameters (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL)) and glycemic level (RBS, FBS, and HbA1c) in T2DM-CP patients after 6 months, and was higher in SRP+DL group in comparison to SRP alone. Among the periodontal health parameters, the mean PPD reduction and CAL gain were 51.78% and 48.26% in control as compared to 61.56% and 62.54% in experimental group respectively, whereas the mean significant reduction in HbA1c was 13.8% in SRP alone and 22.52% in SRP+DL group after 6 months (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Periodontal treatment involving SRP+DL contributes to improved periodontal health parameters and HbA1c level in T2DM-CP patients.

Role of adjunctive therapy with subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline in glycemic control (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes and endo-periodontal lesions to prevent sinus complications

The present study aimed to analyze local and regional changes in regards to odontogenic sinusitis in subjects with endo-periodontal lesions and diabetes mellitus and to investigate the effect on the level of glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin) that could be generated by adjunctive therapy with subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline. This study was performed on 51 subjects with diabetes who were divided into two therapeutic groups: 31 patients with diabetes (the study group) who underwent conventional endo-periodontal therapy and subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline and 20 patients with diabetes who followed only conventional endo-periodontal therapy (the control group). Patients underwent endodontic and periodontal clinical examination, with retro-dental-alveolar radiographs and CBCT examinations. For each patient, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was determined. This evaluation was performed at the beginning of the study, as well as 3, 6 and 12 months after baseline. A significant percentage of patients, both in the study group and in the control group, showed radiological signs of odontogenic sinusitis, totaling 29 patients (56.86%). Periodontal parameters revealed lower levels in patients who underwent the regimen which consisted of subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline; these results were maintained over the study period. Moreover, we demonstrated significantly reduced glycated hemoglobin levels throughout the study (12 months) in the doxycycline-treated group. This fact has far-reaching effects in the sphere of loco-regional complications as well, and the risk of odontogenic sinusitis can be significantly reduced.

Developing a prototype for integrated dental and diabetes care: understanding needs and priorities

BACKGROUND

Periodontal treatment may be a useful adjunct to medical management of diabetes; however, oral health has not been integrated into multidisciplinary diabetes care in Australia. This study aimed to understand the needs of patients and staff at a diabetes clinic to inform a prototype of integrated dental and diabetes care.

METHODS

Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from patients and staff at West Moreton Diabetes Clinic (WMDC) between September-October 2019. Clinical information, survey responses and dental screening results were analysed for 41 patients. Semi-structured interviews were held with six patients and a focus group with seven staff.

RESULTS

Most patients (83%) had not seen a dentist in the previous year. Of the 37 patients with remaining natural teeth, 84% required periodontal assessment and 46% had multiple carious lesions. Unmet treatment needs and rates of access were similar for private and public dental patients. Staff and patients reported high levels of support for incorporation of dental care at WMDC.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating oral health into diabetes management is well-supported by patients and staff to address significant unmet dental needs for both public and private dental patients. Incorporating dental screening/services within diabetes clinics may increase uptake and improve awareness of its importance in diabetes management.

Management of periodontal disease in patients with diabetes- good clinical practice guidelines: A joint statement by Indian Society of Periodontology and Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India

There is a huge body of literature suggesting an association and a bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes. Diabetes and periodontal diseases are both chronic diseases with a high prevalence. Dentists/periodontists, in their daily clinical practice, very often attend to diabetes patients with diverse oral health conditions and cater to their dental treatment needs. Safe and effective periodontal therapy in this population requires a broad understanding of diabetes, medical management of diabetes, and essential modifications to dental/periodontal therapy that may be required. This paper describes a joint statement put forth by the Indian Society of Periodontology and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India aiming to provide expert consensus and evidence-based guidelines for optimal clinical management of periodontal conditions in diabetes patients or patients at risk for diabetes. Although this paper is not envisioned to be a comprehensive review of this topic, it intends to provide the guidelines for dental professionals and periodontists.

Management of Diabetes in People Undergoing Dental Treatment in Primary Care

Diabetes mellitus is a condition resulting from loss of production of insulin, or insufficient production/insulin resistance leading to high blood glucose levels. Management of the condition can be provided in a variety of settings and is tailored to the person's requirements. The condition has a lifelong, systemic impact due to microvascular and macrovascular complications. Diabetes mellitus has dental implications due to increased risk of infections, poor wound healing, rapid progression of periapical pathology, xerostomia, burning mouth syndrome, and a bidirectional link with periodontal disease. Two clinical cases of patients with diabetes are discussed and their dental management described. Many people with diabetes can be treated in primary care, however, some with suboptimal glycaemic control may require specialist input and liaison with the patient's diabetes team.

Uptake of best practice recommendations in the management of patients with diabetes and periodontitis: a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals in primary care

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the practices of healthcare professionals in relation to best practice recommendations for the multidisciplinary management of people with diabetes and periodontitis, focusing on two clinical behaviours: informing patients about the links between diabetes and periodontitis, and suggesting patients with poorly controlled diabetes go for a dental check-up.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional design utilising online questionnaires to assess self-reported performance and constructs from Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Normalisation Process Theory.

SETTING

Primary care medical practices (n=37) in North East, North Cumbria and South West of England Clinical Research Networks.

PARTICIPANTS

96 general practitioners (GPs), 48 nurses and 21 healthcare assistants (HCAs).

RESULTS

Participants reported little to no informing patients about the links between diabetes and periodontitis or suggesting that they go for a dental check-up. Regarding future intent, both GPs (7.60±3.38) and nurses (7.94±3.69) scored significantly higher than HCAs (4.29±5.07) for SCT proximal goals (intention) in relation to informing patients about the links (p<0.01); and nurses (8.56±3.12) scored significantly higher than HCAs (5.14±5.04) for suggesting patients go for a dental check-up (p<0.001). All professional groups agreed on the potential value of both behaviours, and nurses scored significantly higher than GPs for legitimation (conforms to perception of job role) in relation to informing (nurses 4.16±0.71; GPs 3.77±0.76) and suggesting (nurses 4.13±0.66; GPs 3.75±0.83) (both p<0.01). The covariate background information (OR=2.81; p=0.03) was statistically significant for informing patients about the links.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite evidence-informed best practice recommendations, healthcare professionals currently report low levels of informing patients with diabetes about the links between diabetes and periodontitis and suggesting patients go for a dental check-up. However, healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, value these behaviours and consider them appropriate to their role. While knowledge of the evidence is important, future guidelines should consider different strategies to enable implementation of the delivery of healthcare interventions.

The effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control in diabetic patients: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

The present study aimed to monitor the clinical outcomes and the metabolic response of periodontal therapy (non-surgical) in patients with periodontitis (chronic) and uncontrolled diabetes (type 2).

METHODS

Eighty-eight subjects with periodontitis (chronic) and uncontrolled diabetes (type 2) were enrolled in this controlled trial and allocated randomly to the test group (44 patients were received immediate periodontal therapy) or the control group (44 patients were received delayed periodontal therapy). The metabolic and clinical evaluations were conducted at baseline and 3 months. This included clinical attachment level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), bleeding on probing, visible plaque, and pocket depth. The periodontal therapy in this study consists of one-stage scaling and root planning, a combination of systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin 500 mg and metronidazole 400 mg), and oral hygiene instructions.

RESULTS

Regarding clinical and metabolic parameters at baseline, no statistically significant differences were displayed between the two groups. However, at 3-month follow-up period the patients within the test group demonstrated significantly better clinical and metabolic outcomes than patients in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The non-surgical periodontal treatment using a combination of metronidazole and amoxicillin significantly improved the metabolic outcome in addition to periodontal health in diabetic subjects with chronic periodontitis.

Updates from the Evidence Base Examining Association between Periodontal Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Current Status and Clinical Relevance

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Epidemiological surveillance documents an escalating epidemic prevalence of both type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and periodontal disease (PD). The principal goals of this review are to: 1) re-examine the clinical significance of associations between PD and T2DM, based on strength of collective evidence as determined by systematic review and meta-analysis, and 2) review findings of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses in light of the current understanding of PD-associated pathophysiology and intersection with T2DM pathophysiology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Tooth loss predicts risk for chronic disease and mortality. PD is significantly associated with complications of diabetes, including retinopathy. Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the adjunctive use of certain antibiotics enhances non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in patients with T2DM. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses support NSPT efficacy in achieving metabolic control. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses support the association between PD and T2DM, albeit the effect size may be modest. PD-T2DM interactions have important clinical implications.

Clinical and radiographic indices around narrow diameter implants placed in different glycemic-level patients

BACKGROUND

Studies assessing peri-implant clinical and marginal bone resorption (MBR) around narrow diameter implants (NDIs) placed in different glycemic levels are uninvestigated.

OBJECTIVE

The present 3-year retrospective follow-up investigation was designed to explore clinical and radiographic status of NDIs placed in individuals with different glycemic control levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels ≥6.5% (Group-1), 5.7%-6.4% (Group-2), and 4.0%-5.0% (Group-3) were included. Clinical indices evaluating bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque scores (PI), peri-implant probing depth (PD), and MBR were recorded around NDIs at 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up. Serum HbA1c test was carried out for all patients to assess the profile of glycosylated hemoglobin at 1 and 3 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in mean HbA1c levels from year 1 to year 3 follow-up period was seen in Group-1 only. PI varied from 0.40 in Group 1 at 2 year and 0.42 at 3-year follow-up to 0.18 at 2-year (P = 0.032) and 0.17 at 3-year (P = 0.018) follow-up, respectively. Greater BOP was noted in Group 1 (0.53) as compared with Group 2 (0.42) and Group 3 (0.21) (P = 0.048) at 3-year follow-up. PD after 3 year ranged from 2.04 mm in Group 3 to 2.32 mm in Group 1 that showed statistically significant difference (P = 0.037). No statistical significant differences were observed in MBR at any time point between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of this short-term follow-up study indicate that NDIs show clinical and radiographic stability, provided oral cleanliness and glycemic levels are relatively maintained. Further long-term clinical studies are needed to evaluate implant stability over the period along with controlled glycemic status.

[The impact of periodontal therapy on the diabetes control: A systematic review]

PURPOSE

The bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease has been established. Diabetes is a risk factor for periodontal disease while periodontal disease is a complication of diabetes. The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether the administration of periodontal therapy compared to the absence of this treatment would have an impact on the diabetes control in diabetic patients with periodontitis.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on four databases (PubMed, Science direct, Scopus, Cochrane) to identify randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of periodontal therapy on levels of glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose for diabetic patients diagnosed with periodontitis. The quality assessment and the risk of bias of the included studies were carried out according to the Cochrane RoB tool.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met the criteria and were included in this systematic review. Thirteen of these studies reported that periodontal therapy reduces glycated hemoglobin levels three months after periodontal therapy. Nine of these studies investigated the effect of periodontal therapy on fasting plasma glucose levels, five of which reported statistically significant differences of blood glucose levels between diabetics who received periodontal therapy and diabetics who did not receive treatment periodontal.

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review indicate that periodontal therapy can contribute to diabetes control in diabetic patients with periodontitis.

Association between periodontal condition and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus-Results from a 15-year follow-up study

AIM

To study whether periodontal condition is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based follow-up study was conducted among persons born in 1935 and living in the city of Oulu, Finland (n = 395). The baseline examinations were done during 1990-1992, and the follow-up examinations were done during 2007-2008. The data were gathered by questionnaires, laboratory tests and clinical measurements. Poisson regression models were used in the data analyses.

RESULTS

The adjusted rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the incident T2DM among subjects with 4-5 mm deep periodontal pockets (n = 98), among subjects with 6 mm deep or deeper periodontal pockets (n = 91), and among edentulous subjects (n = 118) were 1.32 (95% CI: 0.69-2.53), 1.56 (95% CI: 0.84-2.92) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.53-1.89), respectively, compared to dentate subjects without deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets (n = 88). The adjusted RR per site (the number of sites with deepened periodontal pockets as a continuous variable) was 1.02 (95% CI: 1.00-1.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor periodontal condition may be a predictor of the development of T2DM. However, the causality between periodontal condition and the development of T2DM remains uncertain.

Effect of two periodontal treatment modalities in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized clinical trial

AIM

To evaluate the impact of two non-surgical periodontal treatment modalities on metabolic and periodontal clinical parameters in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and poor glycaemic control and chronic periodontitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety-three T2DM subjects with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7% were randomly assigned to one of two groups receiving scaling with root planing in multiple sessions quadrant-by-quadrant (Q by Q) or within 24 hr (one stage). Periodontal parameters, HbA1c, glycaemia blood levels (FPG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were assessed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post-therapy.

RESULTS

At 6 months, HbA1c had decreased by 0.48% in the Q by Q group and by 0.18% in the one-stage group (p = 0.455). After therapy, subjects with an initial HbA1c < 9% showed an increase of 0.31% (p = 0.145), compared with a decrease of 0.88% (p = 0.006) in those with an initial HbA1c ≥ 9%. Periodontal parameters improved significantly (p < 0.0001) post-therapy, with similar results for both treatment modalities.

CONCLUSION

Periodontal therapy had the greatest impact on HbA1c reduction on patients with an HbA1c > 9% regardless of treatment modality. Both modalities resulted in significant improvements in periodontal parameters.

Evidence summary: The relationship between oral diseases and diabetes

Introduction This paper is the third of four rapid reviews undertaken to explore the relationships between oral health and general medical conditions in order to support teams within Public Health England, health practitioners and policymakers.Aims This review aimed to explore the nature of the association between poor oral health and diabetes when found in the same individuals or populations, having reviewed the most contemporary evidence in the field.Methods The reviews were undertaken by four groups each comprising consultant clinicians from medicine and dentistry, trainees, public health and academics. The methodology involved a streamlined rapid review process and synthesis of the findings.Results The results identified a number of systematic reviews of low to high quality suggesting that diabetes is associated with periodontal disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer in particular, and that the management of oral diseases, most notably periodontal care, has a short-term beneficial influence on metabolic outcomes related to diabetes; however, there is no evidence that this is sustained over the long-term and reduces the prevalence of the long-term complications.Conclusion Current evidence, of mixed quality, suggests a number of associations between oral diseases and diabetes mellitus (diabetes). Further high quality research is required in this field.

Does periodontal inflammation affect glycosylated haemoglobin level in otherwise systemically healthy individuals? - A hospital based study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Microbial biofilm and host susceptibility play an important role in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. Periodontitis is considered the sixth complication of diabetes mellitus and a bidirectional relationship exists between diabetes and periodontitis. This cross-sectional observational study was undertaken to evaluate the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level in chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

The study involved 100 subjects. The case group consisted of 50 subjects with chronic periodontitis and the control group consisted of 50 periodontally healthy subjects. Periodontal parameters including plaque index, oral hygiene index, modified gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level were measured and recorded. Systemic parameters like Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), C- Reactive Protein (CRP), Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, post prandial blood sugar and serum albumin were assessed in all subjects.

RESULTS

The mean HbA1C for the case group was 6.27±1.5 and for the control was 5.36±0.4 and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The mean FBS, PPBS, LDL, WHR, CRP was statistically significant between groups (p ≤0.05). Periodontal parameters like PI, OHI, MGI, PD and CAL were significantly higher in the case group than the control group (p value ≤ 0.05). The multivariate linear regression model with the dependent variable HbA1c showed chronic periodontitis was significantly associated with HbA1c level.

CONCLUSION

In chronic periodontitis patients (otherwise systemically healthy) the presence of periodontal inflammation affected the glycosylated haemoglobin level and they were in prediabetes stage. Therefore, it is plausible that the prediabetes stage might be reduced via appropriate periodontal therapy.

Effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy in patients with moderately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis in Nepalese population

Objectives

Despite several investigations, evidence is still controversial regarding the effect of periodontal treatment on diabetes. This study evaluates and compares the effect on glycemic control and periodontal status with or without nonsurgical periodontal therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis in a Nepalese population.

Materials and methods

A total of 82 patients attending the diabetes clinic and fulfilling enrollment criteria with moderate to severe periodontitis were selected. They were assigned in an alternative sequence, into test and control group. Both groups were instructed to continue with their medical treatment without modifications. Scaling and root surface debridement were performed in the test group whereas the control group received oral hygiene instructions with no treatment during the 3-month study period.

Results

There were 41 participants in each group with the mean age of 50.66±7.70 and 53.80±9.16 years, average diabetes duration of 6.32±4.21 and 6.24±4.00 years, mean body mass index of 24.78±1.85 and 24.6±1.79 kg/m², and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 6.71±0.50% and 6.80±0.45%, in the test and control group, respectively. After 3 months, there was significant reduction in HbA1c levels in the test group compared to the control group (p=0.029). Clinical periodontal parameters of gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) significantly improved in the test group (p<0.001) with PD reduction by 0.9 mm and gain in CAL by 0.3 mm compared to the control group (p>0.001) who showed an increase by 0.05 mm.

Conclusion

This study showed that nonsurgical periodontal therapy may have a beneficial effect on HbA1c level in moderately controlled type 2 diabetic patients.

Periodontal and glycemic effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes stratified by baseline HbA1c

We evaluated the effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy in 100 patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis. The participants were classified as having good (n = 48) or poor (n = 52) glycemic control and were further randomly allocated to receive either scaling and root planning treatment group or no treatment (n = 50 each). The effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy was compared among diabetic patients with good glycemic control, those with poor glycemic control, and 25 nondiabetic individuals. Periodontal and metabolic status was recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. In patients receiving treatment, periodontal parameters significantly improved and HbA1c decreased by 10.8%. Improvements in gingival index and bleeding on probing were greater in the nondiabetic participants and the treated patients with good glycemic control than in the treated patients with poor glycemic control (P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that improvement in periodontal status was independently associated with glycemic improvement. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy improved glycemic control and periodontal health in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, patients with poor baseline glycemic control had less clinical improvement than did those without diabetes and those with good glycemic control.

Evaluation of Micronutrient (Zinc, Magnesium, and Copper) Levels in Serum and Glycemic Status after Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To find out the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on serum zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) concentration and glycemic status in type 2 diabetes with chronic periodontitis (CP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty patients were included in this study, which was further divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of forty patients with CP, Group 2 consisted of forty patients of CP with controlled diabetes, and Group 3 consisted of forty patients of CP with uncontrolled diabetes. Periodontal parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and clinical attachment levels (CALs) were evaluated. Blood samples were collected to assess the levels of fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, Zn, Mg, and Cu. All parameters were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

RESULTS

The results showed statistically significant reduction in all the clinical parameters within the groups except for the CAL in group 1 patients (P = 0.05). The glycemic status also showed a statistically significant reduction after treatment (P < 0.001). The intragroup comparison was taken between the values of micronutrients, showed substantial increase in the levels of both Zn and Mg and decrease in the level of Cu after nonsurgical periodontal treatment (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with diabetes and periodontitis had altered metabolism of Zn, Mg, and Cu contributing to the progression and complication of diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment improved the variation and concentration of plasma micronutrients and also the periodontal status and glycemic level.

Diabetes and periodontal disease: a two-way relationship

Periodontitis and diabetes are common, complex, chronic diseases with an established bidirectional relationship. That is, diabetes (particularly if glycaemic control is poor) is associated with an increased prevalence and severity of periodontitis, and, severe periodontitis is associated with compromised glycaemic control. Periodontal treatment (conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy) has been associated with improvements in glycaemic control in diabetic patients, with reductions in HbA1c of approximately 0.4% following periodontal therapy. For these reasons, management of periodontitis in people with diabetes is particularly important. The dental team therefore has an important role to play in the management of people with diabetes. An emerging role for dental professionals is envisaged, in which diabetes screening tools could be used to identify patients at high risk of diabetes, to enable them to seek further investigation and assessment from medical healthcare providers.

The effect of periodontal therapy on glycemic control and fasting plasma glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Diabetic mellitus and periodontal disease have bilateral associations. However, there is a dilemma on the effect of periodontal therapy on glycemic control and/or fasting plasma glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis. Therefore, this review aimed to assess the effectiveness of periodontal therapy versus no periodontal therapy on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods

Article searching was done using four databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane library (CENTRAL), EMBASE and CINAHL) and a manual search (until December 2015). We included randomized controlled trials testing the effectiveness of periodontal therapy on glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose level in patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus with periodontal disease. Studies published in English between 2005 and 2015 were included. Risk of bias was assessed regarding randomization, allocation sequence concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting, and other biases.

Results

After the article selection process, seven Randomized controlled trials involving 940 participants with a primary outcome of change in glycated hemoglobin and/or fasting plasma glucose and having a minimum of 3 months follow-up were included.

There was a reduction of glycated hemoglobin 0.48(95 % CI: 0.18–0.78) after 3 months follow-up and 0.53 (95 % CI: 0.24–0.81) at the end of the intervention period.

There was also a significant reduction of fasting plasma glucose level, 8.95 mg/dl (95 % CI: 4.30–13.61) in the intervention group after the end of the intervention. The pooled analysis showed that patients with adjunctive antibiotic therapy and mouth wash had effect size of 0.51(0.03, 1.00, p = 0.04) and it was 0.53 (95 % CI: 0.19, 0.87; p = 0.002) in patients without adjunctive therapy. The publication bias of the studies was 0.066 according to Egger’s test.

Conclusion

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, there is a significant reduction of Glycated hemoglobin and Fasting plasma glucose level on type 2 diabetic and periodontal patients with non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Changes in diabetes medications in the Diabetes and Periodontal Therapy Trial and their effect on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the effect of medications and medication changes during the Diabetes and Periodontal Therapy Trial (DPTT) on the primary study outcome, namely, change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 6months following baseline.

METHODS

The DPTT set strict criteria for changes in diabetes medications. Medication change was defined as: change in dose of any 1 oral hypoglycemic agent by more than two-fold, change in dose of insulin of >10% and/or addition or subtraction of an oral hypoglycemic agent, insulin or non-insulin injectable agents. Comparisons between the treatment (non- surgical periodontal therapy) and control (no therapy) groups used t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables, including DPTT defined diabetes medication changes between baseline (BL) and 3month visits and 3- and 6-month visits. Changes in HbA1c were compared across the four medication change categories using ANOVA models, overall and for each treatment group separately.

RESULTS

Baseline medication use was similar between the treatment groups (p>0.40), as were medication changes between BL- 3month visits and 3 and 6month visits (p=0.58). Participants with higher BL HbA1c (>8%) and those taking insulin at BL were more likely to have a change in medication (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The DPTT had the most rigorous definition of medication changes and medication monitoring of any trial in this field to date. The absence of a significant difference in medication changes between treatment groups may suggest that such changes did not play a role in the negative outcome of the DPTT.

Correlation between periodontal disease management and metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A systematic literature review

Background

Diabetes and periodontal disease share common features in terms of inflammatory responses. Current scientific evidence suggests that treatment of periodontal disease might contribute to glycemic control. The objective of the study is a review of the last three years.

Material and Methods

A literature search was performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane, and Scopus databases, for articles published between 01-01-2013 and 30-06-2015, applying the key terms “periodontal disease” AND “diabetes mellitus”. The review analyzed clinical trials of humans published in English and Spanish.

Results

Thirteen clinical trials were reviewed, representing a total of 1,912 patients. Three of them had samples of <40 patients, making a total of 108 patients and the remaining ten samples had >40 patients, representing a total of 1,804. Only one article achieved a Jadad score of five. Seven articles (998 patients, 52.3% total), presented a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c (p< 0.05) as a result of periodontal treatment. In the six remaining articles (representing 914 patients, 47.8% of the total), the decrease in HbA1c was not significant. Patient follow-up varied between 3 to 12 months. In three articles, the follow-up was of 3, 4, and 9 months, in two 6 and 12 months.

Conclusions

The majority of clinical trials showed that radicular curettage and smoothing, whether associated with antibiotics or not, can improve periodontal conditions in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, few studies suggest that this periodontal treatment improves metabolic control. However, there is no clear evidence of a relation between periodontal treatment and improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Key words:Diabetes, periodontal disease, HbA1c, metabolic control.

Evidence that periodontal treatment improves diabetes outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

The effect of periodontal therapy on diabetes outcomes has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

This update examines the effect of periodontal treatment on diabetes outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Literature since October 2009 using MEDLINE.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Published RCTs including periodontal therapy for diabetic subjects, a metabolic outcome, an untreated control group, and follow-up of 3 months.

DATA EXTRACTION

Pre-defined data fields, including study quality indicators were used.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A search revealed 56 publications of which 9 met inclusion criteria. Mean change of HbA1c from baseline was compared across treatment groups. Pooled analysis was based on random effects models.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis indicated a mean treatment effect of -0.36% HbA1c (CI -0.54, -0.19) compared to no treatment after periodontal therapy (p < 0.0001). Heterogeneity tests revealed only minimal evidence of publication bias (I(2 ) = 9%).

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size and high risk of bias remain problematic for studies of this type. Periodontal therapy varied considerably.

CONCLUSION

The modest reduction in HbA1c observed as a result of periodontal therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes is consistent with previous systematic reviews. Despite this finding, there is limited confidence in the conclusion due to a lack of multi-centre trials of sufficient sample size are lacking.

Evidence that periodontal treatment improves diabetes outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

The effect of periodontal therapy on diabetes outcomes has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

This update examines the effect of periodontal treatment on diabetes outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

Literature since October 2009 using MEDLINE.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Published RCTs including periodontal therapy for diabetic subjects, a metabolic outcome, an untreated control group, and follow-up of 3 months.

DATA EXTRACTION

Pre-defined data fields, including study quality indicators were used.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A search revealed 56 publications of which 9 met inclusion criteria. Mean change of HbA1c from baseline was compared across treatment groups. Pooled analysis was based on random effects models.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis indicated a mean treatment effect of _0.36% HbA1c (CI _0.54, _0.19) compared to no treatment after periodontal therapy (p < 0.0001). Heterogeneity tests revealed only minimal evidence of publication bias (I2 = 9%).

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size and high risk of bias remain problematic for studies of this type. Periodontal therapy varied considerably.

CONCLUSION

The modest reduction in HbA1c observed as a result of periodontal therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes is consistent with previous systematic reviews. Despite this finding, there is limited confidence in the conclusion due to a lack of multi-centre trials of sufficient sample size are lacking.

An overview of systematic reviews on the effectiveness of periodontal treatment to improve glycaemic control

Several systematic reviews with meta-analyses on the effectiveness of periodontal treatment to improve glycaemic control have been published. So far no overview of these systematic reviews has been performed. The main objective of this report was to assess critically these systematic reviews to provide the reader with a high-level synthesis of research evidence. MEDLINE (via PubMed) and EMBASE databases were searched independently and in duplicate to identify systematic reviews with meta-analyses of clinical studies that assessed the relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. The last database search was performed on 10 March 2015. The reference lists of included systematic reviews were also scrutinized for further publications. The methodological quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed independently with two validated checklists (AMSTAR and OQAQ) by two authors. Disagreements in the assessment were resolved by consensus. A total of 226 potential publications were initially retrieved. Eleven systematic reviews with meta-analyses were finally included. Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was the most commonly used clinical endpoint. Meta-analytic estimates from systematic reviews generated an average reduction of 0.46% (median 0.40%) of HbA1c in patients with diabetes mellitus who received periodontal treatment. These meta-analyses had, nevertheless, methodological limitations such as inclusion of trials with different types of risk of bias that hinder more robust conclusions. A recent meta-analysis that included recently published large randomized controlled trials did not show significant change in the level of HbA1c at the 6 mo follow-up. The AMSTAR checklist generated results that were more conservative than OQAQ. Findings from this overview do not support the information that periodontal treatment may improve glycaemic control. Methodological issues described in this overview may guide further research on this topic.

Interrelationship Between Periapical Lesion and Systemic Metabolic Disorders

BACKGROUND

Periapical periodontitis, also known as periapical lesion, is a common dental disease, along with periodontitis (gum disease). Periapical periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, caused by endodontic infection, and its development is regulated by the host immune/inflammatory response. Metabolic disorders, which are largely dependent on life style such as eating habits, have been interpreted as a "metabolically-triggered" low-grade systemic inflammation and may interact with periapical periodontitis by triggering immune modulation. The host immune system is therefore considered the common fundamental mechanism of both disease conditions.

METHOD

We have reviewed >200 articles to discuss the interrelationship between periapical lesions and metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and their common pathological background in immunology/osteoimmunology and cytokine biology.

RESULTS

An elevated inflammatory state caused by metabolic disorders can impact the clinical outcome of periapical lesions and interfere with wound healing after endodontic treatment. Although additional well-designed clinical studies are needed, periapical lesions appear to affect insulin sensitivity and exacerbate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

CONCLUSION

Immune regulatory cytokines produced by various cell types, including immune cells and adipose tissue, play an important role in this interrelationship.