Antibiotic Prophylaxis After Simple Tooth Extraction in Immunosuppressed Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Overview

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate whether single-dose amoxicillin prophylaxis administered prior to simple tooth extraction reduces postoperative infection rates inpatients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). Although antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for healthy individuals undergoing simple extractions, immunosuppressed ARD patients frequently receive antibiotics despite limited evidence supporting this practice. Secondary objectives include assessing infection severity, postoperative complications, and the impact of ARD diagnosis and immunosuppressive treatment on infection risk.

Simple tooth extractions are common procedures, and postoperative infection rates are low in the general population. Current guidelines discourage prophylactic antibiotic use to reduce microbial resistance, adverse reactions, and microbiome disruption. However, patients with ARDs often receive prophylaxis due to theoretical risks of delayed healing and increased susceptibility to infection. Evidence in other immuno-compromised populations suggests that simple extractions may be safe without antibiotics, but no prospective trials have evaluated this issue specifically in ARD patients. This study is the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis is necessary in this population.

Conditions