The effect of periodontal treatment on metabolic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus

The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment, with or without systemic administration of doxycycline, on the metabolic control of patients with type 1 diabetes. Sixty type 1 diabetic subjects with moderate to severe periodontitis were recruited. Periodontal parameters were measured, and blood samples were obtained to evaluate glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Group 1 (30 patients) was treated with scaling, root planning, and chlorhexidine rinses for 3 months in conjunction with systemic administration of doxycycline (100 mg once a day for 15 days). Group 2 (30 patients) received the same periodontal treatment but without the use of doxycycline. The paired Student t-test was used to detect differences between glycosylated hemoglobin means before and 3 months after periodontal treatment in group 1 and group 2 separately. Changes in mean HbA1c after treatment were 0.07% in group 1 and –0.06% in group 2, which were not statistically significant after 3 months. Significant changes were not found even in patients with the best response to periodontal treatment. Periodontal treatment in type 1 diabetic patients after 3 months follow-up did not improve metabolic control of diabetes as measured by glycosylated hemoglobin.