Adjunctive Azithromycin Vs. Amoxicillin/metronidazole For SRP – Clinical Results

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the adjuctive use of systemic antibiotics (azithromycin vs. amoxicillin/metronidazole) on the outcome of the SRP in a private dental practice using clinical variables.
Methods: 60 volunteers (29 female, 31 male, mean age 54 ± 8 years) with moderate or severe chronic periodontitis participated in a randomized clinical trial for 12 months. All participants underwent a full-mouth SRP. In the test group the adjunctive antibiotic was azithromycin (3x 500 mg/d), in the control group amoxicillin/metronidazole (3x 500/400mg7d for 7 days) were administered. PD, AL, BOP, and GI were recorded at baseline as well as after 3 and 12 months. Nonparametric tests (Friedman/Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney-U-tests) were used for statistical analysis.
Results: PD (2.7 vs. 4.0, 2.8 vs. 4.0mm), AL (3.0 vs. 4.3, 3.3 vs. 4.3mm), BOP (13 vs. 45, 15 vs. 37%) and GI (20 vs. 44/41%) were significantly improved in both groups after three and 12 months (all p<0.001). The mean change of PD was significantly higher in the test group (1.5 vs. 1.3 mm, p<0.01). In both groups no sites with PD≥5 mm were seen after 12 months. After 12 months the test group had a significantly lower AL than the control group (3.0 vs. 3.3 mm, p=0.020). There were significantly fewer sites with AL≥5 mm after three and 12 months in the test group in comparison with the control group (p=0.019, p=0.037). BOP was significantly lower in the test group after 12 months (p=0.009). The changes of BOP were significantly higher in the test group during the whole study period (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Within the limits of the present study in the condition of a private dental practice one may say that the adjunctive administration of azithromycin could be a real alternative to the adjunctive systemic administration of amoxicillin/metronidazole during SRP.