Resumen

PLAZA, JC; GALLARDO, F; DAVILA, L  y  RIOSECO, M. Effects of systemic azithromycin in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Avances en Periodoncia [online]. 2003, vol.15, n.1, pp.35-42. ISSN 2340-3209.

This investigation was performed in order to study the efficacy of systemic azithromycin associated to mechanichal debridement in a sample of patients with chronic periodontitis. The study had a double-blind , prospective and randomized design in a sample of 19 patients with the clinical diagnosis of chronic periodontitis. Clinical measurements were made of the following parameters: Gingival Index, Plaque Index, Bleeding upon probing, Pocket depth and Attachment levels, that were assessed at baseline and at 30 and 60 days. By random selection and under double-blind conditions 10 patients received azithromicyn ( 500mg each 24 hours during three days ) and 9 received a placebo. At the start of the investigation all patients underwent a full supragingival hygienization treatment with ultrasound, then alginate impressions were taken in order to obtain stone models where acrylic stents were made as fix reference marks to determine pocket depth and attachment levels. Four teeth were selected from each patient, located in the same maxillar for studying the above parameters days 0,30 and 60. From that selected teeth, two were scaled and root planed with conventional Gracey curettes and the others remained as controls. Therefore, according with this design, there were 4 possible treatment groups: 1. Azithromycin 2. Azithromycin + scaling and root planing 3 Placebo 4. Placebo + scaling and root planing. All patients were evaluated by the same callibrated investigators under double- blind conditions. The following results were obtained at 30 days of control: Azithromycin significantly reduced gingival inflammation and pocket depths as compared to its respective baseline values, and when the antibiotic was combined with scaling and root planing, significantly improved attachment levels, however comparison between treatments demonstrated a significant superiority only in the parameter Gingival Index. This preliminary results obtained at a 30 days period of control suggest that azithromycin associated to scaling and root planing could be regarded as an interesting alternative to other antibiotics that presently are used in the treatment of some forms of periodontitis.

Palabras clave : Chronic periodontitis; Systemic azithromycin; Double blind study.

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