Periodontitis treatment (surgical and nonsurgical) effects on glycemic control: A review and meta-analysis

Background: Periodontitis is the sixth most prevalent chronic disease. Literature suggests a relationship between diabetes and periodontitis and when coexist may aggravate each other deleterious consequences. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of periodontitis treatment on glycemic control. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and the first 100 articles in Google Scholar from January 2011 to October 2021. The terms periodontitis, periodontal treatment, diabetes mellitus, nonsurgical treatment, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were used, with the Protean "AND" and "OR." The titles, abstracts, and references of the included studies were screened. Any discrepancy was solved by an agreement between researchers. Out of 1059 studies retrieved, 320 stands after the removal of duplication, from them, 31 full texts were screened and only 11 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Results: In the present meta-analysis, 11 studies (1469 patients included) were pooled, and the overall effect showed that periodontitis treatment improved the HbA1c, odd ratio, −0.024, 95% confidence interval, −0.42−.06, P value, 0.009, Chi-square, 52.99. However, substantial heterogeneity was observed, P value, < 0.001, I2 for heterogeneity 81%. Conclusion: Periodontitis treatment improved the HbA1c among patients with diabetes and poor glycemic control. Screening of this common disease is important in diabetes holistic care.