Treating gum disease for better glucose control in Type 2 diabetes
Title of research
Treatment of periodontitis and metabolic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes: a single centre randomised interventional trial
Institution
UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London
Name of lead investigator
Dr Francesco D’Aiuto, Clinical Senior Lecturer/Hon Consultant
Research funded by
Diabetes UK
Who to contact
UCL Eastman Clinical Investigation Centre. Tel: 02079151276. Email (Trial coordinator): d.moskal@eastman.ucl.ac.uk
Recruiting until
November 2012
Total number of participants needed
280
Who can take part?
Inclusion criteria:
- Participants must be aged over 18 years
- Participants must have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
- Participants must have signs of active moderate to severe periodontitis
- Participants must have a minimum of 15 teeth present
Exclusion criteria:
- Anyone who is pregnant or lactating
- Anyone on chronic treatment with phenytoin or cyclosporin
- Anyone with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis (B, C) or uncontrolled systemic conditions (cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, liver, pulmonary diseases, end stage renal failure) and/or neoplasm
- Anyone requiring antibiotic treatment for periodontal procedures
About the research
What is the research about?
Type 2 diabetes and gum disease (periodontitis) affect millions of people worldwide, and studies of the two conditions have suggested that having Type 2 diabetes puts a person at greater risk of developing gum disease.
What’s more, gum diseases are often more severe in people with diabetes. Interestingly, evidence collected over the past 15 years has also suggested that gum disease can make it harder for people with diabetes to control their blood glucose levels. Despite this, we don’t know conclusively whether successfully treating gum disease can improve blood glucose control in people with Type 2 diabetes. This trial sets out to help answer that question.
How will it benefit people affected by diabetes?
If the trial shows that an improvement in oral health is associated with an overall improvement in blood glucose control, this could have a major impact on health practice in the UK, and could ultimately lower levels of complications among people with Type 2 diabetes.
What will taking part in the research involve for participants and what are the risks?
All individuals suitable for this study will be asked to make a total of 12 (control group) or 15 (extensive treatment group) visits to the UCL Eastman Dental Hospital in London over a period of 12 months.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either tooth scaling and polishing (control group) or extensive treatment consisting of sub-gingival tooth scaling under local pain relief (extensive treatment group). Blood samples will be collected at almost every visit to assess glucose control. The researchers will also collect samples to assess changes in wound healing and blood vessel health before and after gum therapy in both groups.
The risks of the procedures outlined above are very low and will be kept to a minimum. Periodontal treatment and dental anaesthesia injections, if necessary, may involve some discomfort, but a doctor will be present throughout the study and if there are any problems, the study will be stopped and appropriate action taken. Personal information will be kept confidential.
Financial remuneration
There will be a £50 reimbursement for travel expenses at the end of the study.