Evaluation the Effect of Systemic Azithromycin Adjunctive Therapy in Moderate to Severe Chronic Periodontitis

Background: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues. This disease occurs due to accumulation of subgingival microbial biofilm resulting in pocket formation and bone loss. Because of bacterial invasion, therapeutic role of antibiotics is an important part of periodontitis treatment. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive azithromycin therapy in nonsurgical treatment of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis. Methods: In this double blind placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, ۴۰ patients with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were randomly divided into ۲ groups. After full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP), azithromycin ۵۰۰ mg was given once a day from the first day of SRP in the SRP group and the control group were given placebo tablets. Gingival index (GI), plaque index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were evaluated at baseline and ۲ weeks, one month and ۳ months later. T test and Mann-Whitney test were used to do data analysis. Results: Azithromycin had no effect on plaque index. Statistically significant effects could be seen on gingival index at first week, Clinical attachment loss at ۲ weeks and probing depth at ۱ month. Conclusions: Azithromycin may have positive therapeutic effects and can be used as adjunctive therapy in nonsurgical treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis.