Effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment with or without doxycycline on the periodontium of type 1 diabetic patients.

Aim: The present investigation was performed to study how type 1 diabetics responded to non-surgical periodontal treatment with and without adjunctive doxycycline.

Method: Sixty diabetic type 1 patients (mean age 35.3+/-9 years) with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease were selected and divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Both groups were sex and age matched and had similar amounts of periodontal destruction. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment levels (CAL) were recorded. Group 1 (30 patients) was treated with oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing, chlorhexidine rinses twice a day and doxycycline (100 mg/day for 15 days). Group 2 (30 patients) had the same treatment but without doxycycline. After 12 weeks their periodontal condition was reevaluated.

Results: After treatment, both groups had a significant improvement in all periodontal parameters, since PI, BOP, probing pocket depth (PPD) and CAL were significantly reduced. However, the reduction in PD in pockets > or =6 mm and in BOP were more evident when doxycycline was used (group 1). Differences between groups for these parameters were statistically significant (p=0.03).

Conclusion: Although both periodontal treatment regimens are effective in type 1 diabetics, the use of doxycycline as an adjunct, provided more significant results when good plaque control was achieved.