A randomized-controlled trial of low-dose doxycycline for periodontitis in smokers.

Author(s): Needleman I, Suvan J, Gilthorpe MS, Tucker R, St George G, Giannobile W, Tonetti M, Jarvis M

Affiliation(s): Department of Periodontology and International Centre for Evidence-Based Oral Health, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK. i.needleman@eastman.ucl.ac.uk

Publication date & source: 2007-04, J Clin Periodontol., 34(4):325-33. Epub 2007 Feb 23.

Publication type: Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tobacco use reduces the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Host-modulation with low-dose doxycycline (LDD) might favour repair and promote an improved treatment response. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LDD in smokers on non-surgical periodontal therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a parallel arm, randomized, identical placebo-controlled trial with masking of examiner, care-giver, participant and statistician and 6 months of follow-up. Patients received non-surgical therapy and 3 months of test or control drug. Statistical analysis used both conventional methods and multilevel modelling. RESULTS: Eighteen control and 16 test patients completed the study. The velocity of change was statistically greater for the test group for clinical attachment level -0.19 mm/month (95% CI=-0.34, 0.04; p=0.012) and probing depth 0.30 mm/month (95% CI=-0.42, -0.17; p<0.001). However, no differences were observed for absolute change in clinical or biochemical markers at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not provide evidence of a benefit of using LDD as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in smokers.