The effect of periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in a Hispanic population with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: In the Mexican-American population, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is as high as 50% of the population. This randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to elucidate how treatment of periodontal disease affects HbA1c values in this population. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty-four T2DM patients with periodontal disease were enrolled in the study. The test group was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP); the control group received oral hygiene instructions. At baseline and 4-6 weeks after therapy, a complete periodontal examination was performed. Blood was collected at baseline and 4 months later for HbA1c levels. Results: One hundred and twenty-six individuals completed the study. Baseline mean +/- SD HbA1c for the test and control groups were 9.0 +/- 2.3% and 8.4 +/- 2.0% respectively. Non-significant difference in HbA1c reductions (0.6 +/- 2.1% and 0.3 +/- 1.7%) was found between test and control groups at 4 months. Comparisons of the periodontal clinical parameters between the test and control groups found significant differences with improved results in the test subjects. Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were found in the changes of HbA1c levels between test and control groups. Non-surgical periodontal therapy improved the magnitude of change in periodontal parameters as compared to the control subjects.