Effect of Periodontal Treatment on Metabolic Syndrome Parameters: A Systematic Review

Aim: To evaluate the effects of periodontal treatment on metabolic syndrome (MS) parameters and systemic inflammatory biomarker levels in patients affected by both MS and periodontitis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a follow-up ≥ 1 month comparing a more intense periodontal treatment (test intervention) to either a less intense or no periodontal treatment (control intervention). MS parameters such as triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference (WC), and systemic inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., C-reactive protein, CRP) were analyzed. Random-effects meta-regression analyses were conducted at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Results: Four RCTs were included. Test intervention resulted in a statistically significant greater SBP reduction at 3 (WMD 1.48) and 6 (WMD 1.88) months compared to control group. A statistically significant difference between groups was observed for FBG at 6 months after treatment, favoring test intervention (WMD 0.61). No differences were observed for the other MS parameters and for CRP at both 3- and 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Periodontal treatment seems to have beneficial effects on SBP and FBG in patients with MS and periodontitis at 3–6-month follow-ups. Trial Registration: This systematic review was registered under the protocol registration number CRD42024499854/PROSPERO.