Comparison of azithromycin and oral hygiene program in the treatment of cyclosporine-induced gingival hyperplasia.

Background: It has been shown that azithromycin improves cyclosporine-induced gingival hyperplasia (GH), but its efficacy was never compared against an efficient oral hygiene program (OHP). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of azithromycin plus OHP versus OHP alone in patients with cyclosporine-induced GH.

Methods: After periodontal evaluation, 20 renal transplant recipients received detailed oral hygiene instructions and a complete OHP, and were randomized to control (OHP) or azithromycin groups (OHP plus azithromycin).

[Ciclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia].

The increasing use of cyclosporine A (CSA) in organ transplants and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases has increased the incidence of cyclosporine A-related adverse effects, including gingival hyperplasia (GH). GH causes esthetic, speech, mastication and tooth growth problems in the affected patients. The prevalence of cyclosporine-induced GH varies in different studies and may be as high as 85%, depending on the diagnostic criteria.