The Effect of Periodontal Disease on Metabolic Control in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus in South Africa: Protocol for a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: The increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated complications is burdensome to the South African health system. Understanding the role of comorbid diseases, such as periodontal disease (PD), and their effect on metabolic control in patients with DM in South Africa will raise awareness about the importance of periodontal interventions among patients with DM in South Africa. OBJECTIVE: The review will aim to determine the effect of PD on the metabolic control of T2DM in a South African population. METHODS: A systematic review of the relationship between PD and metabolic control in patients with T2DM in a South African population will be conducted. Cohort, cross-sectional, and case-controlled studies will be considered in which the outcome of interest is diabetic control. A search will be done in the following sources: EBSCOhost (academic search complete; dentistry and oral sciences), PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the South African National ETD Portal for articles published in English. There will be no limit placed on the date of the publication. The reference list of articles will be reviewed for further inclusion of critical articles. Two independent reviewers (AJ and FK-D) will do study selection, data extraction, and quality analysis. All disputes will be resolved by discussion, and the entire team will verify final decisions. RESULTS: The systematic review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A preliminary search was conducted using the keywords ((perio*) AND (diabet*)) AND (“South Africa”). The review process should be completed by December 2021. CONCLUSIONS: The review will determine the effect of PD on metabolic control in patients with T2DM in South Africa. The outcome would inform health policy to highlight the need to include periodontal care into treatment protocols in patients with T2DM. In this process, the feasibility for future research in this area of interest will also be defined. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020221064; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=221064 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/27471