Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of "a combined systemic and nonsurgical periodontal treatment" in eradicating gastric Helicobacter pylori in patients having the bacterium within their subgingival biofilm. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) investigated 102 patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer or dyspepsia and a positive stomach test for H. pylori infection (G+). Participants with a negative test for oral infection received only triple therapy (G3, n=38), and those positive for oral infection were randomly allocated to one of the two treatment regimens: a 14-day course of triple therapy (comprising antibiotics, antimicrobials, and proton pump inhibitors) alongside periodontal therapy (G1, n=32) or triple therapy alone (G2, n=32). The effectiveness of H. pylori eradication was assessed four weeks after treatment using the H. pylori stool antigen (stool Ag) test. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: In the G2 and G3 groups, triple therapy achieved success rates of 52% and 84%, respectively. When periodontal therapy was integrated with triple therapy in the G1 group, the success rate was 80%. Significant differences were observed between the G1 and G2 groups (P=0.037) and also between the G3 and G2 groups (P=0.015). Conversely, no significant difference was found between the G1 and G3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Periodontal therapy has the potential to substantially increase the efficacy of H. pylori eradication regimens for gastric infections.