Effect of Fluoxetine on Periodontal Status in Patients With Depression: A Cross‐Sectional Observational Study

Background: Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has been reported to reduce periodontal disease severity in a rat ligature‐induced periodontitis model. The objective of the present study is to investigate the influence of fluoxetine intake on periodontal parameters in patients with periodontitis with clinical depression. Methods: A sample of 236 patients with chronic periodontitis and clinical depression were assessed for clinical parameters of periodontal disease. Of these, 115 patients were taking fluoxetine (20 mg/day) for ≥2 months, and 121 patients were not. Participants taking fluoxetine were further analyzed for correlation between duration of drug intake and periodontal parameters. Results: All periodontal parameters, except plaque index, were significantly lower in participants taking fluoxetine (P <0.01). Partial correlation analysis, adjusted for confounders, revealed a significant and negative correlation between duration of fluoxetine intake and attachment loss (AL) (R² = ?0.321, P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that fluoxetine intake was associated with a lower risk of having AL ≥3 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.31 to 0.96) and lower odds of increased bleeding on probing (BOP) percentage values (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.97). Conclusion: In this observational study, use of fluoxetine was associated with lower BOP percentages and reduced AL.