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Relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis
F B Mercado1, R I Marshall, A C Klestov
1Department of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Journal of Periodontology
|July 17, 2001
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis patients show increased periodontal disease, including deeper pockets and tooth loss. Periodontal bone loss correlates with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, suggesting a shared inflammatory pathway.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis share similar pathobiology.
- Previous studies suggested a potential link between these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess periodontal disease extent in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- To correlate periodontal disease with rheumatoid arthritis indicators.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 65 rheumatoid arthritis patients and a control group.
- Assessed periodontitis via probing depths, attachment loss, bleeding, plaque, and bone loss.
- Measured rheumatoid arthritis activity using joint analysis, pain index, global assessment, HAQ, CRP, and ESR.
Main Results:
- Rheumatoid arthritis group had more missing teeth and deeper periodontal pockets.
- Periodontal bone loss correlated with swollen joints, HAQ scores, CRP, and ESR.
- No significant differences in plaque or bleeding indices were observed.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms a significant association between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- The link may stem from a common inflammatory response dysregulation.