A randomized controlled trial of the effects of non‐surgical periodontal therapy on cardiac function assessed by echocardiography in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis significantly increases the risk of diabetic complications. This clinical trial investigated the effects of periodontal therapy on cardiac function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis.

Materials and methods: Fifty‐eight subjects with T2DM and periodontitis were randomly allocated to Treatment Group (n = 29) receiving non‐surgical periodontal therapy, and Control Group (n = 29) having only oral hygiene instructions with delayed periodontal treatment until completion of this 6‐month study. The left ventricle (LV) diastolic function was assessed by echocardiography with the tissue Doppler imaging index (E/e' ratio); and LV hypertrophy was evaluated by LV mass index (LVMI). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis.

Results: The intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that periodontal treatment significantly reduced the E/e' ratio by 1.66 (95% CI: −2.64 to −0.68, p < .01), along with marked improvement of periodontal conditions (p < .05). LVMI was not altered at the 6‐month follow‐up. The serum levels of N‐terminal pro‐B type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) as a cardiac stress biomarker, C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6 decreased numerically without reaching statistical significance.

Conclusion: The present study provides the first evidence that non‐surgical periodontal therapy may improve cardiac diastolic function in type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis.