Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder causing hyperandrogenism and menstrual dysfunction. Periodontitis and PCOS are associated with systemic inflammation and insulin resistance and may influence each other. Hence, these two disorders may be linked through common pathophysiologic pathway. Therefore, reduction of insulin resistance offers the possibility of improving effects of metabolic derangements and inflammation. For this purpose many insulin-sensitising agents like metformin and myoinositol have been tried. Metformin decreases serum CRP levels where as myoinositol helps in reduction of inflammation by increasing plasmalogen synthesis. The aim was to assess inflammatory periodontal status in PCOS patients undergoing different medical treatments.
Materials and Method: Patients (n=75) were recruited and divided into three groups: Control Group: Newly diagnosed PCOS Women, Group A: Patients taking metformin for 6 months, and Group B: Patients taking myoinositol for 6 months. The clinical examination included a full-mouth periodontal assessment: BOP (bleeding on probing), PD (probing depth), CAL (clinical attachment level), PI (plaque index) and GI (gingival index).
Results: The comparison between the control group and test groups showed significant differences with respect to GI and BOP whereas non-significant differences were seen with respect to AGE, PI and PD and CAL. Non-significant differences were seen in periodontal parameters between group A and group B.
Conclusion: Newly diagnosed PCOS females have higher measures of GI and BOP as compared to PCOS women on medical treatment, whereas no significant difference is seen in periodontal parameters between women taking different medical treatment. Thus despite having different mechanisms of action, both drugs may reduce the systemic inflammation and hence are helpful in reducing the local inflammation.
Keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome, gingivitis, bleeding on probing, insulin resistance