CLINICAL EFFECTS OF LACTOBACILLUS REUTERI PROBIOTIC IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS. A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a probiotic containing Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 in a sample of adult subjects affected by chronic periodontitis, associated with the periodontal treatment of Scaling and Root Planing (SRP). Methods. The enrolment of 40 patients, aged between 18-70 years (mean age 46.55±14.33), was carried out at Department Diagnosis, Hygiene and Oral Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy. The subjects were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 1 month from the SRP (T1). The periodontal evaluation included: last data of Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Pocket Probing Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL). The sample of the subjects was randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (case group), who received the probiotic, and Group 2 (control group). Statistics. A randomized, single centre, controlled, parallel-group clinical study was conducted. Chi-Square test was used to evaluate statistical differences between gender and Groups. The Anova’s one-way analysis and Paired Sample t-test were applied to interpret the changes observed between the groups and in pre and post probiotic assumption for the clinical variables. The significance level was accepted 0.05. All statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS package. Results. 40 patients aged between 18 and 70 years, with mean age of 46.55±14.33 were analysed. The Groups 1 and 2 were homogeneous, equal distributed for sex (p=0.21) and last data of SPT (p=0.09). There was a statistically significant difference, between the clinical parameters examined at T0 and T1, for Group 1 and 2: BOP (p=<0.001), PPD (p=<0.001), CAL (p=<0.001). The analysis of the Groups 1 and 2, in relation to the three clinical parameters, at the time T1, shows that for the BOP and PPD there were statistically significant differences (BOP p<0.001), (PPD p=0.02). There was no statistically significant difference between the Groups 1 and 2 in relation to CAL at the time T1 (CAL p=0.11). Conclusions. The subjects with CP, treated with SRP and probiotic, show some beneficial effect of Lactobacillus reuteri with significant reduction of BOP and PPD.