Evaluating the effectiveness of clarithromycin as an adjunct to scaling and root planing: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Administration of systemic antibiotics may implement persuasive treatment effect for chronic periodontitis by intending tissue-invasive bacteria in addition to accustomed nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the ancillary effects of oral clarithromycin (CLM) along with NSPT for chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty periodontitis patients were randomly divided into two equal groups in this double-blind, randomized, parallel group, and active-controlled trial: test group – scaling and root planning (SRP) plus CLM (500 mg thrice daily for 7 days, orally) was given, and control group – only SRP was done. Clinical analysis, such as gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), were taken at baseline, 3 months, and 6-month intervals for both groups. Subgingival plaque samples were cultured for periodontopathic organisms. Immunological parameter C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were estimated. RESULTS: SPSS version 14 was used for statistical analysis. The intragroup comparison showed a significant reduction in the mean scores of all the parameters from baseline to 6 months. The intergroup comparison showed a statistically significant reduction of PD from baseline to 3 months (P < 0.001). GI, CAL, and CRP levels were also reduced but not statistically significant. The mean colony-forming units (CFU) of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) showed a statistically significant reduction from baseline to 3 months only in the test group (P = 0.042) and (P = 0.046), respectively. There was no statistically significant reduction of Aa and Pg at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: CLM conceivably accepted as an addendum to NSPT for a shorter period.