[Oral infection and rheumatic diseases]

Area of Science:

• Oral Health and Immunology
• Rheumatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Periodontitis (PD) is a common infectious disease linked to chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Emerging evidence highlights a significant association between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sharing genetic, environmental, and immunopathological factors.
• The oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis's ability to citrullinate proteins is crucial in RA pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the established and emerging evidence on the interrelationship between periodontitis and rheumatic diseases.
• To investigate the potential impact of periodontitis therapy on the course and activity of rheumatoid arthritis.
• To explore possible associations between periodontitis and other rheumatic conditions, such as spondyloarthritis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of epidemiological studies and recent publications.
• Analysis of shared genetic, environmental, and immunopathological characteristics between PD and RA.
• Examination of the role of citrullination and autoantibody production in RA pathophysiology.

Main Results:

• A growing body of evidence supports a strong link between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Periodontitis therapy is being investigated for its potential influence on RA activity.
• Associations between periodontitis and other rheumatic diseases like spondyloarthritis are under investigation.

Conclusions:

• The interrelationship between periodontitis and rheumatic diseases is a critical area of ongoing research.
• Understanding this connection may offer new insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of rheumatic diseases.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between oral health and systemic rheumatic conditions.