Efficacy of adjunctive local periodontal treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with periodontitis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the effectiveness of different adjunctive local treatments combined with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) to reduce pocket depth (PD), gain clinical attachment level (CAL), and/or reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in individuals with both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis in a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Data SourcesPublications were searched in Cochrane databases, EMBASE, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed, opengrey.eu, and www.clinicaltrials.gov up to May 29, 2024 with no language restriction. Study SelectionOnly randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Network meta-analysis utilized frequentist models. DataThe network meta-analysis of 30 RCTs involving 1224 patients revealed that, in short-term (2–3 months) and medium-term (4–6 months), adjunctive local treatment involving statins or metformin significantly outperformed scaling and root planning (SRP) with/without additional interventions such as photodynamic and laser therapies (PDT/LT), phytotherapy, doxycycline, bisphosphonates, antibiotics, antiseptics, or placebo for reducing PD and/or gaining CAL. In the long-term (>6 months), statins yielded the most significant additional PD reduction and CAL gain, followed by antibiotics, compared to SRP with antiseptics or placebo. Only PDT/LT demonstrated significantly greater HbA1c reduction in the short term compared to SRP with/without statins, antiseptics, or placebo. ConclusionThis study moderately supports that adding metformin or statins locally to NSPT may enhance PD reduction and CAL gain compared to SRP with/without placebo. Clinical significanceClinicians are guided to optimize adjunctive therapies, enhancing the health of patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontitis. A strategic approach is proposed to tackle systemic and oral health challenges simultaneously.